Jared Lucas shoots brother Colby Lucas, then dies by self-inflicted gunshot

Late Sunday night, a heartbreaking incident unfolded in Wilson, North Carolina, leaving two young brothers dead in what police have identified as a murder-suicide. The event has left the local community reeling and has spurred an active investigation by the Wilson Police Department.

According to a statement from Sgt. Eric McInerny, public information officer for the Wilson Police Department, the tragic sequence of events took place at approximately 10:39 p.m. on Sunday, at a home located at 2706-B Byerly Drive, near the 2500 block of Nash Street. Responding officers arrived at the scene after a distress call reporting a shooting at an occupied residence. Upon entering the home, police made a grim discovery. 

"Officers arrived on the scene and found two subjects lying just inside the front door," McInerny stated. "The two subjects were identified as brothers, Jared Charles Lucas, 24, of Wilson, and Colby Ryan Lucas, 23, of Wilson." Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, a devastating loss for the family and the tight-knit Wilson community.

The 911 call was placed by James Tyrone Hamm, 58, also of Wilson, who is both the brothers' stepfather and an eyewitness to the fatal encounter. Hamm's account sheds light on the tragic moments leading up to the fatal shootings. He reported that Jared had come to the front door of the residence late that night. When Colby answered the door, a barrage of gunfire followed.

“Hamm stated that Jared shot Colby and fired at him as well before Hamm retreated into the residence,” McInerny explained in a public statement. Fortunately, Hamm managed to escape without injury, though the trauma of the event is undoubtedly profound.

Wilson County Emergency Medical Services personnel quickly arrived on the scene but, tragically, were unable to save either brother. According to the medical assessment, Jared Lucas died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, indicating that after fatally shooting his younger brother, Jared turned the weapon on himself.

The motivations behind this shocking act remain unclear, and authorities are working diligently to piece together the circumstances that led to this family tragedy. McInerny noted that the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are exploring various leads to provide some clarity as to what may have driven Jared to commit such a violent act against his own sibling.

This tragic event comes as a blow to the small community of Wilson, where the Lucas brothers were known by many. The loss of two young lives under such violent and distressing circumstances has left family members, friends, and neighbors grappling with questions that may never be fully answered. Colby Ryan Lucas, 23, was described by friends as a kind and well-loved young man, while Jared Charles Lucas, 24, was known to have faced personal struggles, though it’s unclear whether those struggles played a role in Sunday night’s incident.

Authorities have not disclosed whether there was any prior history of conflict between the two brothers, or whether Jared exhibited any warning signs prior to the fatal encounter. The use of firearms in this domestic tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in the United States, particularly in situations involving mental health crises or family disputes. 

Mental health experts and advocates have long warned of the dangers posed by untreated psychological issues, particularly among young men, who are statistically more likely to engage in violent acts when suffering from emotional or psychological distress. While it’s too early to determine whether mental health played a role in this tragedy, it is a reminder of the broader societal issue at hand.

The investigation into this case remains active, and police have asked anyone with additional information to come forward. The Wilson community is now left to mourn the loss of two young lives, while investigators continue to search for answers. 

As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the devastating impact of violence within families. The pain left in the wake of this incident will not soon be forgotten by the community of Wilson.

For now, the family and friends of Jared and Colby Lucas are left with deep grief, as they try to make sense of an incomprehensible act.