Police identify 2 firefighters killed in Rowan County murder-suicide

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Police in Granite Quarry said a volunteer firefighter shot and killed another firefighter in Rowan County Wednesday afternoon, then died by suicide.

2 men dead after murder-suicide in ?quaint community? of Granite Quarry, police say 2 men dead after murder-suicide in ?quaint community? of Granite Quarry, police say

Investigators said the shooting happened along North Main Street, not far from East Crook Street.

Police said the 26-year-old suspect, Andrew Myers, was waiting in a pickup truck in the driveway outside of his estranged wife’s home. When another man, identified as 30-year-old Tyler Hamilton, walked out of the house, Myers fired a shotgun, hitting Hamilton in the head, police said.

Myers then walked into the house, confronted his estranged wife and turned the gun on himself, according to investigators.

Rowan County Sheriff Department is assisting Granite Quarry-Faith Police Department in a murder suicide on N Main St in Granite Quarry NC. Sheriff Mark J. Cook of Granite Quarry confirmed the murder suicide that left two males dead. ⁦@wsoctv⁩ pic.twitter.com/dEjo607qFA
— Garry Stanley (@garryWSOC9) January 22, 2020

The police chief said Wednesday’s slaying was the first murder in Granite Quarry in about 20 years.

“This is very highly unusual for us. This is a very quaint community," said Chief Mark Cook with the Granite Quarry-Faith Joint Police Department. "Very unfortunate that this situation devolved the way it did, and tragically, we have two very young lives that were taken away today. And truly, it will be felt throughout the community.”

Cook said both men who died were volunteer firefighters.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and could see several patrol cars lining the street and officers collecting evidence.