7 Indicted in Deadly Catawba County Mass Shooting; Authorities Confirm Attack Was a Coordinated Ambush

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C.  — After an intense, weeks-long investigation involving more than 150 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, authorities announced a major development in the deadly mass shooting that occurred at a Catawba County pool party on June 1. In a press conference held Tuesday, officials confirmed the grand jury indictments of seven individuals believed to have planned and executed what they described as a deliberate, coordinated ambush that left one person dead and 11 others injured.

Victim Identified: Shawn Hood

The only person killed in the shooting was 58-year-old Shawn Hood of Lenoir, a former bullpen catcher for the Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball team. Hood, who had attended the party as a guest, was not involved in the gunfire but tragically lost his life in the chaos. He was a respected figure in his community, known for his time in professional sports and for his kind-hearted nature.

Authorities Unveil Premeditated Plot

For the first time since the shooting, officials confirmed that the incident was not random, but instead a preplanned attack carried out by a group now known as the “Hillside Shooters.”

“What happened was not only unthinkable—it was intentional. It was coordinated, and it was meant to inflict maximum harm,” said District Attorney Scott Reilly.

Investigators said the suspects used Snapchat and other social media platforms to coordinate the shooting, sending messages that included phrases like “air it out”—a slang term for opening fire. Law enforcement traced the planning phase back several days before the actual shooting occurred.

Indicted Suspects

The following individuals were indicted by a grand jury:

• Garon Killian
• Ke’Andre Mack
• Toland Huff Jr.
• Zachary Bates
• Izaiah Mitchell
• Charles Rodell Kincaid III

Each of the six faces 63 counts of attempted first-degree murder—one for every estimated person in the line of fire—as well as one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

A seventh individual, Zoe Braswell, who is not believed to be gang-affiliated, was indicted on four counts of accessory after the fact for assisting the suspects in the aftermath of the shooting.

Toland Huff Jr. also faces two additional counts of accessory after the fact related to a separate shooting investigation.

A Scene of Chaos and Gunfire

According to Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown, the shooting was one of the most violent incidents he has encountered in his 37-year law enforcement career. More than 80 rounds were fired during the ambush, with bullets striking people, vehicles, and homes in the area.

“Our community was shaken by a reckless and violent act,” Sheriff Brown said. “But we remained determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The FBI, State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) all participated in the case. The FBI alone conducted over 100 interviews and collected trajectory and ballistic data. Evidence was analyzed at FBI Quantico.

The SBI contributed more than 700 investigative hours, with agents from four of North Carolina’s eight districts working the case.

How Shawn Hood Was Killed

In a heartbreaking update, investigators revealed that Shawn Hood was not killed by the Hillside Shooters. Instead, he was unintentionally struck by a fellow partygoer who had returned fire during the ambush. The person who fired the fatal shot was trying to protect themselves and others in the chaos.

Authorities determined that the individual who shot Hood acted in lawful self-defense and did not intend to harm him. As a result, no charges will be filed against that person.

“While tragic, this act does not meet the threshold of criminal behavior under North Carolina’s self-defense laws,” DA Reilly said.

Case Still Active, More Arrests Possible

Officials emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing. Using facial recognition software, authorities have identified more than 100 people who attended the party. Investigators are working to determine if additional individuals returned fire or played roles in planning the shooting.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the home where the party occurred was rented or whether all attendees were aware of the potential for violence.

Court proceedings for some of the indicted individuals are expected to begin this week.

Public Urged to Help

Law enforcement continues to urge the public to come forward with any photos, videos, or information related to the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 464-3112.

“We want to bring everyone involved to justice. If you know something—say something,” Sheriff Brown said.

This mass shooting has left a lasting scar on Catawba County. As the investigation continues, the memory of Shawn Hood, an innocent man caught in a storm of violence, remains at the center of a grieving community’s call for accountability and peace.