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FOREST CITY, N.C. — A national kart racing champion was gunned down in front of his pregnant fiancée during a targeted home invasion Friday morning, leaving a small Western North Carolina community reeling from the loss of a young man known for his speed on the track and his gentle spirit off it.
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Tyler Daniel Weaver, 25, a Forest City resident and 2018 Maxxis National Karting Championship winner, was found dead inside his home on Harris Lee Drive around 9:50 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2025. Responding officers from the Forest City Police Department discovered Weaver lying on the living room floor with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Weaver, an electrical tradesman in construction who shared a passion for racing with his late father Danny — who died in 2021 — was home with his fiancée, Nevaeh Quintero, when two armed men forced their way inside. Authorities described the intrusion as a premeditated robbery that escalated into violence, with no clear motive disclosed beyond the intent to steal valuables. Quintero, who is expecting the couple's first child in April 2026, was unharmed but witnessed the attack, hiding in a bedroom as gunfire erupted, according to investigators. She frantically called 911, reporting the suspects as masked men dressed in dark clothing who fled in a dark-colored sedan after the shooting.
An autopsy conducted Oct. 27 by the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Weaver's cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, ruling the manner homicide. Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy called it a "robbery gone bad" and emphasized it was targeted, assuring residents there was no broader threat. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation joined the probe, processing the rural single-story home for fingerprints, shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby properties.
Three days later, on Oct. 27, arrest warrants were issued for two suspects with lengthy criminal histories. Jaquavious Antwan Craig, 26, turned himself in to the Rutherford County Detention Center on Nov. 3, while Quitez Lamare Watkins, 35, was apprehended the same day by the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force in a nearby county. Both men, described by prosecutors as career criminals with prior felony convictions for burglary, drug trafficking and assault, face first-degree murder charges. They are being held without bond pending initial court appearances scheduled for mid-November.
The arrests brought a measure of closure to Weaver's family, who gathered for a funeral service on Oct. 30 at Padgett & King Mortuary in Forest City. More than 200 mourners, including fellow racers and childhood friends, filled the chapel to celebrate Weaver's life. His mother, Amanda Rogers Smith, spoke through tears of her son's infectious laugh and unwavering loyalty. "Tyler was our light — he won races and hearts without ever trying," she said. His sister, Taylor Weaver, posted on social media: "Losing my brother has been the hardest thing we've ever gone through. He was such a kind, beautiful soul with the biggest heart and he was taken from us far too soon."
In the tight-knit town of 7,000, where Weaver grew up racing go-karts on local tracks, the slaying has sparked outrage and grief. Maxxis Kart Racing North America issued a statement mourning the "inseparable team" of Tyler and his father, whose 2018 victories embodied the sport's thrill and camaraderie. Community leaders organized a candlelight vigil on Nov. 1 outside the county courthouse, drawing calls for tougher sentencing laws and improved home security. "This doesn't just happen here — it's a wake-up call," said Rutherford County Commissioner Mark Llewellyn. As the investigation continues, locals remember Weaver not as a victim, but as the kid who outraced everyone with a smile.
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Kart Racing Champion Killed in 'Targeted' Home Invasion, Two Suspects Arrested in North Carolina (Fox News)
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Police reveal cause of death for victim of WNC home invasion (https://www.foxcarolina.com)
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Kart racing star Tyler Weaver, 25, shot dead in front of fiancée after tragic home invasion in North Carolina (The Times of India)
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North Carolina man Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during 'targeted' home invasion, 2 career criminals arrested (New York Post)
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National Kart Racing Champion Killed in ‘Targeted’ Home Invasion (yahoo.com)
National kart racing champion Tyler Weaver was shot and killed at his Forest City, North Carolina, home in a “targeted” home invasion on October 24, 2025. When the incident occurred, WLOS pointed out that 25-year-old Weaver was found on the floor of the home with multiple gunshot wounds.
breitbart.com
Obituary for Tyler Weaver | The Padgett & King Mortuary & Crematory
Tyler Daniel Weaver, age 25 of Forest City died Friday, October 24, 2025. He was born on April 12, 2000, in Henderson County and worked as an Electrical Tradesmen in construction. Tyler loved go-carts and racing and in 2018 he won the Maxxis National Championship twice that year.
padgettking.com
Police reveal cause of death for victim of WNC home invasion
24, 2025 at 4:06 PM EDT · FOREST CITY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Forest City Police Department reports a man died from injuries after a home invasion on Friday. Officers said they were called to respond to Harris Lee Drive around 9:50 a.m. Tyler D. Weaver, 25, was found lying on the floor and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services personnel determined he had succumbed to his injuries, according to police.
foxcarolina.com
Kart racing star Tyler Weaver, 25, shot dead in front of fiancée after tragic home invasion in North Carolina | International Sports News - The Times of India
Kart racing star Tyler Weaver, 25, shot dead in front of fiancée after tragic home invasion in North Carolina ... Kart racing champion Tyler Weaver, 25, was fatally shot during a targeted home invasion in Forest City, North Carolina, on October 24. Police arrested two suspects, Jaquavious Craig and Quitez Watkins, on November 3, charging them with first-degree murder.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
North Carolina man Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during 'targeted' home invasion, 2 career criminals arrested
Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his Forest City home on Oct. 24, when police responded to the rural house following reports of a break-in just before 10 a.m., officials said. The gunmen, later identified as Quitez Watkins, 35, and Jaquavious Craig, 26, fled the scene after the shooting and warrants for their arrests were issued three days later.
webfiddle.net
National Kart Racing Champion Killed in ‘Targeted’ Home Invasion
Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of national kart racing champion Tyler Weaver, who was killed during an alleged home invasion in Forest City, North Carolina. Police responde…
realdealnews.org
National Kart Champion Killed in Targeted Home Invasion in North Carolina
A North Carolina national kart racing champion was fatally shot in front of his fiancée during what police described as a “targeted” home invasion that ended in his death and the arrest of two career criminals, as reported by The New York Post. Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his home in Forest City on October 24 after police responded to reports of a break-in just before 10 a.m., according to local authorities.
rvmnews.com
Kart racing champion, 25, killed in front of his fiancée after home invasion carried out by career criminals turned deadly | Daily Mail Online
A kart racing champion was shot and killed in front of his fiancée during a home invasion that turned deadly in North Carolina. Tyler Weaver, 25, of Forest City, located near Charlotte, was found inside his home with multiple gunshot wounds around 10am on October 24.
dailymail.co.uk
25-year-old Tyler Weaver from North Carolina killed in front of his fiancée during a planned home invasion; two repeat offenders taken into custody. | TotalNEWS
Tyler Weaver, 25, was discovered deceased on the floor of his Forest City residence on October 24, following a call to law enforcement reporting a break-in just before 10 a.m.
totalnews.com
North Carolina: Deadly home invasion; 2 arrested
FOUR CITY POLICE SAY LATE LAST MONTH, OFFICERS FOUND 25 YEAR-OLD TYLER WEAVER DEAD IN A HOME. NO SUSPECTS WERE IN THE AREA WHEN THEY ARRIVED. DETECTIVES QUICKLY ISSUED WARRANTS FOR THE ARREST OF JO’QUAVIOUS CRAIG AND QUINTEZ WATKINS THIS WEEK. OFFICERS SAY BOTH MEN WERE ARRESTED AND BOOKED ON FIRST DEGREE MURDER · Updated: 12:34 PM EST Nov 4, 2025 Editorial Standards ⓘ ... Two people are in custody after a deadly home invasion in Rutherford County, North Carolina.The Forest City Police Department said the home invasion happened just before 10 a.m.
wyff4.com
Man found dead in Forest City home died from gunshot wounds: police confirm
OCT. 24, 2025 -A homicide investigation is underway in Forest City after a man was found dead in a home on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. The area has been secured by police and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, and the investigation is ongoing. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff) ... Tyler D. Weaver
wlos.com
National kart racing champion murdered in North Carolina home invasion | Fox News
Quitez Watkins and Jaquavious Craig, both repeat offenders, face first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of kart racing champion Tyler Weaver.
foxnews.com
2 arrested, charged with murder in Forest City shooting
24, 2025. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff) ... FOREST CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — Two people accused of murdering a man found shot to death in a Forest City home have been taken into custody, police say. In an update shared on social media, the Forest City Police Department said warrants were issued for 26-year-old Jaquavious Antwan Craig and 35-year-old Quitez Lamare Watkins in the shooting death of Tyler D. Weaver on Oct.
wlos.com
National Kart Champion Killed in a Targeted Home Invasion in North Carolina
A North Carolina national kart racing champion was fatally shot in front of his fiancée during what police described as a “targeted” home invasion that ended in his death and the arrest of two career criminals, as reported by The New York Post. Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his home in Forest City on October 24 after police responded to reports of a break-in just before 10 a.m., according to local authorities.
lifezette.com
National kart racing champion Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during ‘targeted’ home invasion
Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his Forest City home on Oct. 24, when police responded to the rural house following reports of a break-in just before 10 a.m., officials said. Weaver and his fiancée, Nevaeh Quintero, were inside when the suspects allegedly broke in and opened fire, according to WLOS. Tyler Weaver was shot and killed inside his North Carolina home during an armed robbery on Oct. 24, 2025.
aol.com
National kart racing champion Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during ‘targeted’ home invasion
National kart racing champion Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during ‘targeted’ home invasion The New York Post ^ | 11/07/2025 | Nicholas McEntyre ... A North Carolina kart racing national champion was murdered in front of his fiancée during a violent home invasion by two suspected career criminals who were captured 10 days after the “targeted” attack. Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his Forest City home on Oct.
freerepublic.com
'Not known for prior police activity': Man killed in Forest City home invasion
The victim was at home with his girlfriend at the time of the home invasion. Police said she is not believed to have been injured.
wspa.com
Man found dead in Forest City home, homicide investigation underway
24, 2025. Forest City police say officers were initially called to a reported home invasion at 114 Harris Lee Drive around 9:50 a.m., when responding officers found the dead man inside. Officers found Tyler D. Weaver, 25, lying on the floor of the home, and the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services determined that Weaver died from his injuries, according to the Forest City Police Department.
wlos.com
Two arrested in Forest City deadly home invasion investigation
On October 24, Forest City Police Department and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home invasion on Harris Lee Drive. At the home officers found 25-year-old Tyler D. Weaver dead on the floor.
wspa.com
Cause of death revealed for man killed in Forest City home invasion
Police have shared more information about a deadly home invasion that occurred in Forest City on October 24.
wspa.com
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