Iredell County Suspect Killed After He Allegedly Murdered Two And Wounded Another

The following information has been released by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office regarding an incident that began on Saturday and concluded Sunday morning.

On Saturday, March 9, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office received information about shots being fired at 109 Home Drive, Mooresville.

When the deputies arrived, they located a critically injured victim on the back porch of the home and two deceased victims inside the residence. All three victims were found restrained and bound. The scene was secured, and the injured man was transported to a medical center for life-threatening injuries.

Deputies and detectives quickly obtained suspect information, leading them to 1580 Oswalt Amity Road. When they approached the home, they were met by a man who pointed a gun at them and, barricaded himself inside the home, and began firing at the deputies with an AR-15 rifle.

The home was surrounded, and the Sheriff’s Emergency Response (SERT) Team was called to the scene. Iredell County Sheriff’s Office negotiators made contact with the male and attempted to get him to come out of the residence. While speaking with the male, who was identified as Justin Michael Strawser, investigators learned four juveniles were inside the home. Strawser was uncooperative and refused rescue attempts by the deputies.

Many times, during the next several hours, deputies attempted to get Strawser to come out of the home, and each time, he fired numerous rounds at officers from inside the home, striking several sheriff’s office vehicles. The suspect also made statements to the negotiators about his involvement in the incident at 109 Home Drive.

After negotiations failed, other tactics, including gas were introduced into the residence. After the gas was used, the juveniles fled the home. The suspect then exited behind the juveniles, firing his rifle at the deputies. The deputies returned fire, killing the suspect. The suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Iredell County EMS, who had been staging, immediately responded to the scene. Strawser was pronounced deceased . The juveniles and the deputies were uninjured.

The scene was secured, and Sheriff Campbell contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to respond and conduct an officer-involved shooting investigation. Three deputies were placed on Administrative Leave, which is the standard policy of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

The murder victims were identified as Eduardo Cordova, 22 Years Old, of 2209 Charlotte Highway, Mooresville, and Caleb Loper, 24 Years Old, of 1031 Leeping Brook Road, Lincolnton.

This was not a random home invasion; the suspect and victims were known to each other. Narcotics and robbery were possible motives.

Strawser had previous charges pending for Felony Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Assault by Strangulation.

Photo: Iredell County Sheriff’s Office