26-Year-Old Kills Himself After Killing His Auntie in Statesville, NC

A 26-year-old man fatally shot his auntie before taking his own life in Statesville, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 2.

Police say Titeon Breshuan Burton shot 51-year-old Surtonia Burton outside a home in the 1000 block of Fifth Street just before 1:30 p.m. Officers responding to the scene found Surtonia suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the front yard. She was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries.

Authorities quickly identified Titeon Burton, who lived at the same address, as the suspect. Just before 5 p.m., officers located him at a business on Oakland Avenue. When officers tried to detain him, Burton ran.

The foot chase ended on Broom Street, where Burton pulled out a gun and shot himself as police closed in. He was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.

In a July 18, 2025, Facebook post, Surtonia stated that her nephew, Titeon, had been incarcerated for eight years, writing, “much of his early young adult years gone from us.” In a caption attached to a video, she added, “From a baby until now… I got his back! I got the best position — AUNTIE.”

It remains unclear what led Titeon to kill his aunt.

According to Surtonia’s Facebook page, she was a Bishop-Designate and led Freedom Church International in Statesville, where she had been a part of the ministry for over 17 years.

The Statesville Police Department says the case remains under investigation.