‘The ultimate sacrifice’: Father shot, killed while protecting daughter from boyfriend, police say

CONCORD, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A North Carolina father was shot and killed while trying to protect his 16-year-old daughter from her boyfriend, police say.

Concord Police say 17-year-old Keshaun Degraffenreid and his 16-year-old girlfriend were fighting early Monday morning in a Cabarrus County home when it got physical.

Police say the girl’s father, 47-year-old Lester Jones, tried to step in and protect her, which is when Degraffenreid allegedly shot both his girlfriend and her father before running away.

When officers arrived on scene, they found Jones dead and his daughter seriously injured. Both had gunshot wounds.

Police found Degraffenreid on a nearby street and arrested him. The 17-year-old will be charged as an adult on several counts, including murder, assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

Degraffenreid appeared in court Wednesday, where a judge denied him bond. He is due back in court later this month.

Neighbors react to shooting

Neighbors are shocked by the violence that happened just a few doors down but say Jones will be remembered as a loving father and hero.

“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,” said Josh Elmore, who lives a few doors down from the Jones family. “This father cared. He clearly did because he gave his life up, and we all should have that level of care for our children.”

Antonio Brown, who lives down the street, says the shooting has left the neighborhood shaken.

“Something like that is so close to home. That’s so disappointing. I’m not sure... I have lost words for anything else,” he said.

He also questioned why a 17-year-old had access to a gun.

“A 17-year-old is still a child. He shouldn’t have a gun. Why would he have a gun?” he said. “That’s scary because he may not be able to think his way through and may get upset, and that sort of thing can happen with violence.”

Jillian Brown says the incident is difficult to comprehend.

“Somebody who you trusted and somebody who you had a relationship with putting you in that predicament. It’s just crazy and sad,” she said.