Man fatally shoots himself while officers try to detain him for allegedly killing a woman in Statesville: Police

STATESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man shot and killed himself hours after fatally shooting a woman in Statesville, according to the Statesville Police Department.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, officers responded to reports of gunshots in the 1000 block of Fifth Street. When they arrived, they found a woman lying in front of a residence with multiple gunshot wounds.

The woman, 51-year-old Surtonia Burton, was taken to a local medical center where she died a short time later, officials said.

While investigating the scene, detectives identified 26-year-old Titeon Breshuan Burton as the primary suspect.

About three hours after the shooting, around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, officers found Burton at a business on Oakland Ave. That’s within two miles of where the shooting happened. Police said Burton ran from officers when they tried to detain him.

Officers chased Burton to the back of a residence on Broom Street, about a half-mile from Oakland Ave., where he reportedly shot himself when officers approached him. Burton was pronounced dead while being transported to a local hospital, officials said.

Queen City News reached out to the Statesville Police Department to learn about the relationship between Surtonia and Titeon. Police have not said what led to the fatal shooting.

“The Statesville Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the Burton family during this tragic time,” SPD said.

This is still an active investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406.