Katelyn Self.
Katelyn Self, 26, has been identified as one of two people who died after her father, Roger Self, allegedly rammed his vehicle into Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City, North Carolina, located in Gaston County, approximately 30 miles outside of Charlotte.
62-year-old Roger Self, of Dallas, North Carolina, was taken into custody after allegedly ramming his car into the Surf and Turf Lodge on North 14th Street while the restaurant served Sunday brunch. Katelyn Self was a corporal with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department.
Amanda Self, the suspect’s daughter-in-law, is also among the dead, according to police.
Roger Self is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail.
Gaston County Sheriff’s OfficeRoger Self’s mugshot.
According to NBC Charlotte, a source said the man walked into the establishment with his family and sat them down before intentionally driving his vehicle into the restaurant.
FacebookKatelyn Self is seen in this Facebook photo.
A helicopter arrived on scene to take people to local hospitals, and it is reported that four people were injured.
Authorities believe the incident to be domestic related, and the family’s pastor said mental illness is to blame.
At a news conference May 21, Roger Self’s pastor, Austin Rammell, said he had seen the “entire family” at church only hours before the horrifying incident occurred.
According to the pastor, Roger Self has been dealing with mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and mental breakdowns in recent months, and had sought medical help for the issues.
“There is no way the man I’ve known for 16 years could do this,” Rammell stated. In regards to the suspect’s mental health, he said Roger Self’s family was supportive. Rammell stated, in part:
Family has been loving him through this. He’s been taking precautions. He had all the guns removed from his house, so he was taking steps that were rational. There’s nobody in the world Roger loved more than those people and they know that. Even in the most chaotic, senseless moment like this, they at least cling to the confidence that they know where Kate and Amanda are.
A vigil was held at Venture Church only hours after the tragedy occurred.
Katelyn and Roger Self.
Authorities say Roger Self was travelling at a high rate of speed when he crashed through the establishment into the area where his family was sitting.
This is the car that Roger Self drove into the Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City killing 2 people, including his own daughter. #WBTV
“I heard a loud boom,” said Caleb Martin, the restaurant’s busser, according to WCNC. “I turned the corner and saw the back of a white car in the doorway. I didn’t know what to do.”
Here is the arrest warrant charging Roger Self for the murder of his daughter, Katelyn Self, a Gaston Co sheriff’s deputy
Roger Self was a regular customer at Surf and Turf Lodge, Martin said, according to WCNC.
“It’s definitely changed me mentally and emotionally,” he told the news station. “I definitely want to help people more in any way I can.”
She Was Identified by the Police Department She Was an Officer With as a Victim of the Atrocious Act
Katelyn Self.
Roger Self’s daughter, identified by authorities as Katelyn “Kate” Self, an off-duty officer with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, was reportedly killed in the incident.
The Gaston County Sheriff’s Department released the following statement regarding Katelyn Self losing her life to the tragedy:
Today we lost one of our own, Deputy Katelyn Self, in a tragic incident that occurred while she was not on duty. Katelyn has served the Sheriff’s Office for four years and was a corporal in the jail. Our hearts are broken and we ask for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, not only for Katelyn’s family and friends, but also her brothers and sisters in uniform.
#BREAKING – one of the deceased identified as 4-year veteran of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Katelyn (spelling?) Self; suspect is believed to be her father, Roger Self. Sheriff says a police officer was also injured in the incident @SpecNewsCLT
The Gaston Gazette reports that “several other members of Self’s family are fighting for their lives.”
Her Sister-in-Law Was Also Killed in the Alleged Attack, & Police Have Cited a ‘Domestic Issue’ Being Involved
#BREAKING – one of the deceased identified as 4-year veteran of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Katelyn (spelling?) Self; suspect is believed to be her father, Roger Self. Sheriff says a police officer was also injured in the incident @SpecNewsCLT
Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell announced that the suspect’s daughter-in-law, Amanda Self, is also among the dead, The victim worked as a nurse at Caromont Regional Medical Center. She was the wife of Josh Self, Roger Self’s son, who also works as a police officer for Gaston County Police Department.
Authorities have said a domestic issue occurred leading up to the act of violence, though an exact motive has not been revealed.
“Preliminary information indicates Surf and Turf Lodge incident is domestic related,” the Charolotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced on their Twitter page.
Her Boyfriend Is an Officer With the Gastonia Police Department
FacebookAlex Burns and Katelyn Self are seen in this Facebook photo.
Katelyn Self’s fiancé, Alex Burns, also an officer with the Gastonia Police Department, is reportedly one of the injured due to the alleged attack.
FacebookKatelyn Self and Alex Burns.
Both Katelyn Self’s and Burn’s Facebook pages show a loving couple who frequently shared memories of happy times.
Her Father Was the Owner & President of Southeastern Loss Management, Inc.
FacebookRoger and Katie Self.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Self is the president and owner of Southeastern Loss Management, Inc., located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The profile states:
Roger Self is the owner and President of Southeastern Loss Management Inc. Southeastern Loss Management has been in operation since 1989 and located just outside Charlotte N.C.
He is a licensed Private Investigator, specializing in business losses. Roger has conducted thousands of interviews with employees who have admitted to embezzlement. Roger has the unique ability to obtain information from individuals who have committed an assortment fraud and business crimes.
Roger has solved thousands of cases including cases involving district, regional and store level managers.
Roger has personally recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses that ordinarily would have lost.
Specialties: Interrogation of employees, identifying individuals responsible for theft or fraud in the business community.
According to its website, the company specializes in “Instant Background Checks,” “Employee Drug Testing, and “Churches & Non-Profits.”
The company’s slogan reads; “This business is your life’s dream.”
