Dad, 47, Fatally Shot While Trying to Protect His Daughter From Her Boyfriend: ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’

A North Carolina dad was fatally shot in the early hours of Monday, June 1, after intervening when his 16-year-old daughter’s boyfriend, Keshaun Tirrell Degraffenreid, allegedly became physical with her during a fight at a home in Concord.

WSAZ reported that when 47-year-old Lester Jones stepped in, Degraffenreid allegedly opened fire, hitting Jones. His daughter was also struck by gunfire.

Officers responding to the home found both father and daughter suffering from gunshot wounds. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. His daughter was rushed to a nearby hospital, though her current condition has not been made public.

Degraffenreid, 17, fled on foot but was arrested by police on a nearby street shortly after, the City of Concord Police Department said on Facebook.

He has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, misdemeanor domestic violence and resisting officers — as well as possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia — as reported by WBTV.

It is unclear if Degraffenreid has retained a lawyer or entered a plea.

Jones’ neighbors were shaken after the tragedy.

“A father made the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter to protect her, and a 17-year-old kid played a stupid game and decided to use violence,” area resident Josh Elmore told WBTV.

Neighbor Antonio Brown said the shooting left the street reeling. “Something like that is so close to home,” he said. “That’s so disappointing. I have lost words for anything else.”

Brown also raised questions about how a teenager had access to a firearm.

“A 17-year-old is still a child,” he said. “He shouldn’t have a gun. Why would he have a gun?”

Degraffenreid made his first court appearance on Wednesday, June 3, and is due back in court on June 18, per WBTV.