N.C. man charged with murder after 2 adults and 3-year-old girl die from 'traumatic injuries'

EXINGTON, N.C. (TCD) -- A 54-year-old man faces murder charges after three people — including a 3-year-old girl — were found injured inside a smoke-filled residence and later died from their wounds.

The Lexington Police Department said officers responded to an apartment complex on the 500 block of Burgess Street on March 2 at 7:18 p.m. to help the Lexington Fire Department on a structure fire call. A witness reportedly called 911 because they saw the smoke as well as blood on the apartment complex’s steps and a gun in the parking lot.

Lexington Police officers forced their way into the apartment and located two adults suffering from life-threatening injuries and a juvenile with "traumatic injuries."

Officers picked up the girl and ran her to EMS nearby, who rendered aid. The two adults were declared dead at the scene. Lexington Fire reportedly determined the residence was not on fire, but rather smoke was emanating from the stove. The adult victims were identified as 56-year-old Lionel Coker and 61-year-old Robert Lee Stowe.

According to Lexington Police, the girl’s injuries were "not related to the small fire inside the apartment." The little girl, Ja-sel Orr, was transported to North Carolina Baptist Medical Center, where she died Friday, March 4, police said.

Lexington Police later identified the suspect as Brian Moses. He was initially taken into custody on two counts of murder, arson, possession of a firearm by a felon, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Following Orr’s death, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office charged him with a third count of murder.

WGHP-TV reports Stowe and Coker died from injuries other than gunshot wounds, but officials did not elaborate on any causes of death.

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