Deputies: NC house fire ruled murder-suicide; family visited sheriff’s office before deaths

COOLEEMEE, N.C. — A fire that killed a family of four, including two children, last month was intentionally set, according to the Davie County Sheriff’s Office.

All four people died from gunshots wounds in what deputies are saying is a murder-suicide, according to reporting from WXLV, our sister station in Winston-Salem.

Inside the Cooleemee home were the bodies of 26-year-old Aschod Ewing-Meeks, 26-year-old Ashton Brown and their two kids, 4-year-old Bella Ewing Meeks and 8-month-old Brixx Ewing-Meeks, WXLV reported.

Deputies told WXLV that Ewing-Meeks was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound and believe he shot and killed his girlfriend and two children.

Davie County Sheriff J.D. Hartman told reporters that the family was seen on surveillance video in the Sheriff’s Office’s lobby hours before their death. Hartman told WXLV the couple was vague on what they needed, but said they’d like to speak with a deputy.

The couple was then seen arguing outside their home and a short time later, Hartman said he believes the shootings and fire occurred.

Sheriff Hartman told reporters this case as one of the worst he’s seen.

“I’ve seen a lot in 30 years, but children and especially children that are killed by gun shots and burned is pretty heinous. It’s close to one of the worst, if not the worst,” the sheriff said.

John Barnett, a civil rights activist and spokesperson for Aschod Meeks-Ewing’s family, said the deputies neglected to address the family’s problems.

Aschod Ewing-Meeks suffered from severe mental health challenges due to repeated concussions and was scared of law enforcement, his mother said.

Barnett said the family may file a civil suit against the responding departments.

(WATCH BELOW: Authorities investigating deadly fire that engulfed Chester County home)

Authorities investigating deadly fire that engulfed Chester County home

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