Thomas Ulester Swakla
Tuesday evening, Iredell County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a domestic issue, the caller indicated they heard screaming coming from a neighboring home. Later, a male subject called 911 indicating he had shot a woman at the location on Amity Hill Road in Statesville.
Deputies arrived at the residence and located 26-year old Thomas Ulester Swakla of Statesville crouching in the carport of the home. When ordered to stand up and show his hands, the deputies noticed a pistol tucked in the waistband of his pants. The suspect was disarmed and detained.
The body of Kayla Danae Davis was nearby on the carport floor suffering a gunshot wound. Officers attempted to administer first-aid but Davis succumbed to her injuries. Swakla claims Davis had attempted to assault him with a baseball bat. He told investigators he shot the woman in self-defense.
Swakla was charged with murder and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center without bond.
Photo: Iredell County Sheriff’s Office