Snapchat used to plan deadly Catawba County party shooting, search warrants reveal
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Investigators believe a deadly mass shooting at a house party in Catawba County was not random, and now, newly unsealed search warrants reveal how social media and cell phones played a role in planning the violence.
The shooting happened on June 1, 2025, at a large house party on Walnut Acres Drive, where nearly 100 people attended.
More than 80 shots were fired, killing one person and injuring at least 11 others.
PREVIOUS: Ninth arrest made in Catawba County mass shooting case
According to the search warrants, suspects used Snapchat to talk about the attack both before and after it happened. One of the suspects, Garon Killian, allegedly told others ahead of time that he planned to 'air it out,' a phrase witnesses said meant he intended to 'open fire.'
Investigators now believe this shooting was tied to a criminal gang network.
During interviews with authorities, Killian said he, along with Toland Huff Jr., Ke'Andre Mack, Zachary Bates, and Izaiah Mitchell, were all involved in gang activity.
Gang activity suspected in Catawba County mass shooting as four suspects face judge
He reportedly admitted they often used their phones to talk about illegal operations, and he told agents he used his phone to discuss the shooting before and after it happened.
The warrants also detail a meeting that happened at a Waffle House on May 30, just days before the shooting. FBI sources said Killian and Huff met with others there and discussed the upcoming party, warning that if Raekwon Craig, who they called 'Leek,' hosted the event, 'they better watch out.'
That story was backed up by another witness, who told the State Bureau of Investigation that she was with Killian and Huff at a house in Lenoir before the shooting. She said Killian mentioned the party and told them to 'scope it out.'
Shots, screams heard on neighbor's security camera down the street from Catawba County mass shooting investigation
After the shooting, Killian and several others reportedly fled to Charlotte. He later admitted to handling a High Point handgun believed to have been used in the attack, court documents state.
Now, law enforcement is digging into the suspects' cell phones and digital footprints, asking for everything from GPS data and IP addresses to messages and app usage, from May 1 to June 4. Investigators believe access will help understand the full scope of who was involved.
So far, nine people have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Charges range from attempted first-degree murder to helping minors obtain alcohol:
Garon Killian, attempted first-degree murder
Toland Huff Jr., attempted first-degree murder
Izaiah Mitchell, attempted first-degree murder
Ke'Andre Mack, attempted first-degree murder
Zachary Bates, attempted first-degree murder
Charles Rodell Kincaid III, attempted first-degree murder
Zoe Braswell, accessory after the fact
Raekwon Craig, aiding underage alcohol possession
Patrick Tolbert, aiding underage alcohol possession
Police said this investigation remains open and ongoing. Anyone with further information, photos, or video is asked to call the Catawba County Sheriff's Office at 828-464-3112.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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