In a tragic display of familial violence, a mother and her teenage son were shot in their Norlina, North Carolina home early Tuesday morning. The assailant? The boy’s father, who later took his own life as police closed in on him.
Keisha Valentine, a dedicated single mother, had just begun to rebuild her life after leaving her husband, Earl Valentine Sr., due to his infidelity and threats. On the night of the shooting, she secured her home and set up an improvised alarm, a precaution that would soon prove futile.
At approximately 1:00 AM, a loud crash jolted Keisha awake. Moments later, she was shot in the chest as she attempted to flee her assailant. Her 15-year-old son, Earl III, bravely rushed to her aid, running into the line of fire in a desperate attempt to save his mother.
“I heard the gun go off, and I knew I had to help her,” Earl III later told emergency responders, his voice shaky but determined. In that moment of chaos, he called 911, fighting through his own injuries to alert authorities.
Police arrived to a horrific scene, finding Keisha and Earl III in critical condition. Officer Anton Edwards described the carnage: “Multiple gunshot holes in the walls and a lot of blood. I was amazed that Keisha survived.” Both were rushed to the hospital, but the damage was severe.
As Keisha lay fighting for her life, she repeatedly asked about her son, unaware of the devastating truth. “Where’s Earl?” she pleaded with doctors, her heart heavy with worry.
Meanwhile, Earl Sr. was on the run, broadcasting his confession on Facebook Live, claiming to have shot his wife and son. Authorities quickly recognized the threat he posed and initiated a manhunt.
Three days later, police located him at a motel in South Carolina. Faced with capture, he took his own life, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Keisha, still in the hospital, learned the heartbreaking news: her son had succumbed to his injuries.
“He’s a hero,” she said through tears, reflecting on Earl III’s bravery. “He saved my life.” The young boy’s last act was one of love and courage, but it came at the ultimate cost.
As Keisha continues her recovery, she faces the painful reality of losing her son while battling her own injuries, including multiple gunshot wounds. “I want to walk again,” she stated defiantly, holding onto the hope that her son’s spirit will guide her through the darkness.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, the community is left reeling, grappling with the senseless violence that shattered a family and claimed the life of a young hero. Keisha’s journey to healing has just begun, but she carries her son’s memory with her, a testament to his bravery and love even in the face of unimaginable horror.
