2-year-old boy killed, mom hurt in Caldwell County triple shooting, deputies say

CALDWELL COUNY, N.C. — Deputies are investigating a homicide after a 2-year-old boy was shot and killed inside his Caldwell County home Friday night.

The shooting happened on Pope Lane, south of Lenoir.

Deputies said when they arrived at the house, 2-year-old Elijah Summerow was found dead and his mother was shot in the arm. She is expected to be OK.

Authorities have not said what led up to the shooting, but deputies told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty they believe the mother’s boyfriend, who is also the child’s father Michael Summerow, is the suspect.

Investigators believe Michael Summerow first shot his girlfriend and then fired at his son, hitting and killing him. Deputies said he then turned the gun on himself and is hospitalized, but he is expected to recover.

Dale Summerow, the boy’s grandfather, said he hasn’t slept since the shooting and doesn’t believe his son would intentionally hurt the child. He said he can’t understand why this happened.

“Oh, he loved that little boy just like I did,” Dale Summerow said.

Neighbors described hearing several shots and seeing the child’s father walking around after the shooting. They said the couple had argued in the past, but nothing like this.

“Sad and really close to home,” neighbor Haley Mitcham said. “I have a little boy myself.”

“He seemed so delightful, so happy so a loss like that is pretty hard,” neighbor Hunter Pagan said.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said the father has not been charged yet as they wait for him to recover.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Community remembers 7-year-old girl shot and killed in Gastonia

Cox Media Group