A North Carolina kart racing national champion was murdered in front of his fiancée during a violent home invasion by two suspected career criminals who were captured 10 days after the “targeted” attack.
Tyler Weaver, 25, was found dead on the floor of his Forest City home on Oct. 24, when police responded to the rural house following reports of a break-in just before 10 a.m., officials said.
Weaver and his fiancée, Nevaeh Quintero, were inside when the suspects allegedly broke in and opened fire, according to WLOS.
Weaver, who twice won the 2018 Maxxis Kart Racing National Championship, was shot multiple times, but Quintero managed to escape and call the police.
Weaver’s death was ruled a homicide by multiple gunshot wounds.
The deadly home invasion was a “targeted” incident and Weaver died as part of a “robbery gone bad,” Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy said, the outlet reported.
The gunmen, later identified as Quitez Watkins, 35, and Jaquavious Craig, 26, fled the scene after the shooting and warrants for their arrests were issued three days later.
They were both captured on Monday and charged with first-degree murder.
Watkins was captured by the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, led by the US Marshals Office before Craig turned himself over to police in Rutherford County.
They are being held at the Rutherford County Detention Center without bonds.
Watkins was previously arrested for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to cause serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, methamphetamine trafficking, possession of cocaine, heroin and opium and habitual assault, according to court records viewed by The Post.
Craig has previously faced multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, fleeing arrest, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony breaking and entering, and assault on a female.
Several of his cases were dismissed in Cleveland County, North Carolina due to insufficient evidence.
Weaver, who worked as an electrical tradesman, was remembered by his friends and family after his death.
“Losing my brother has been the hardest thing we’ve ever gone through,” his sister Taylor Weaver wrote on Facebook. “He was such a kind, beautiful soul with the biggest heart and he was taken from us far too soon.”
Weaver’s grieving mother Amanda Rogers recalled Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika’s impassioned forgiveness of her husband’s assassin during his funeral in September.
“I recall watching Erika Kirk at her husband’s funeral say “I forgive him” and I’m thinking that woman has to be remarkably resilient and I know that’s what God would want, but I don’t know how that’s even possible. My child didn’t deserve this,” Rogers said.
“He had a heart of gold, always willing to lend a helping hand, regardless of one’s background. His kindness knew no bounds. I’m struggling to find the strength to get through this. I’m humbly asking for prayers.”
Maxxis Kart Racing North America honored the decorated racer and his father, Danny, who died in September 2021.
“Tyler and his late father, Danny Weaver, were an inseparable team — their love for racing and the pride they carried in that championship defined what this sport is all about,” the organization wrote. “Tyler was one of the most proud champions we’ve ever had, and his legacy will always be part of the Maxxis family. Once a champion, always a champion.”
