A 35-year-old North Carolina man, Kevin Musser, is facing charges of first-degree murder for the deaths of three individuals in a home in Bladen County, according to court records. The victims, identified as Greg Dennis, 62, Randy Benton, 54, and Phillip Palmer, 32, were found dead on March 17 in a residence in Clarkton, a city approximately 50 miles west of Wilmington.
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to a call about a shooting at around 7:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered Musser at the front door of the residence, clad in bloody clothing and holding a handgun. Musser then retreated out the back door, where deputies found him on the steps.
Musser was reportedly suffering from life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Inside the house, deputies discovered the victims, each with multiple stab wounds. Despite the initial call reporting a shooting, the sheriff’s office confirmed that the victims had been stabbed to death.
Interestingly, the call to emergency services was allegedly made by Musser himself. Local NBC affiliate WECT reported that the caller, who initially identified himself as “Randy,” claimed he had been shot. The dispatcher’s inquiries about the shooter and the location of the gunshot were met with uncertainty from the caller, who claimed blindness. When asked about the condition of the other individuals in the house, the caller responded, “No, he’s dead. Everyone’s dead.”
Musser was initially treated as a person of interest but was charged with murder the following day. In addition to the murder charges, Musser is also accused of possessing methamphetamine and stealing a victim’s wallet. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on April 3.