Suspect Identified from Rutherfordton Shooting

Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence on Silvers Lake Road around 4 p.m. on May 20 after the Rutherford County Communications Center received multiple calls reporting that two people had been shot.

Investigators said 27-year-old Kirsten Teaster was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, a 17-year-old juvenile, suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a trauma-level medical center for treatment. Authorities said the juvenile’s identity will not be released.

Deputies immediately detained the suspected shooter, identified as Robert Lee Scruggs III.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators and forensic personnel processed the scene, conducted interviews and consulted with the Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office before charging Scruggs with one count of voluntary manslaughter.

Court records state Scruggs is accused of unlawfully killing Kirsten Nichole Teaster.  Records also show he was initially held without bond before appearing before a judicial official on May 21, where he was given a $100,000 secured bond. Conditions of release include no contact with the victim’s family.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 10 in Rutherford District Court, according to court filings via the NC Judicial Branch eCourts system.

Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg previously said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident between neighbors and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.

The investigation remains active, and authorities said no additional details about the juvenile victim or the circumstances leading up to the shooting will be released at this time.