A 34-year-old North Carolina man is facing a second-degree murder charge after his girlfriend was shot and killed inside their home, leaving children caught in the aftermath of a deadly domestic incident. Police say Roman Morales allegedly shot 34-year-old Sequoia Howard on Thursday evening, November 5, before leaving the residence with his own three children.
The shooting happened at around 7 p.m. at a home on McLean Street in St. Pauls, according to Police Chief Michael Owens. Howard, a mother of four, died after the shooting. Authorities have not publicly disclosed what led to the incident or what happened between the couple before the gun was fired.
One of the most disturbing details involves the children who were at the home. Morales had three children, while Howard had four. Police Chief Owens confirmed that Morales’ children and at least three of Howard’s children were present when the shooting happened.
After the incident, Morales allegedly left the residence with his three children. Howard’s children were reportedly left inside the home. The situation has drawn particular concern because the children were forced to face the aftermath of a shooting that claimed their mother’s life.
Howard’s father was also reportedly present during the incident. A neighbor named Lisa Benton told The Robesonian that she initially heard no gunshots or commotion. She later heard people screaming before police officers, ambulances and fire trucks arrived.
Benton said she heard Howard’s father shouting that someone had shot his daughter. The neighbor also explained that her granddaughter had often spent time playing with Howard’s and Morales’ children. In fact, the children had been planning a sleepover for Friday night, making the sudden turn of events even harder for those who knew the families.
The neighbor described Howard as a sweet woman who loved her children. She also said Howard worked at Walmart and was a hard worker. Benton admitted that she had known Morales longer and had always considered him polite and respectful. She said she never imagined he could be involved in such an incident.
Morales was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder and discharging a firearm within city limits. He was taken to the Robeson County Detention Center, where he remained in custody. At his first court appearance on Friday morning, November 6, he was not given bond.
The St. Pauls Police Department is handling the investigation with assistance from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. Police have not released a motive for the shooting or additional details about the events leading up to Howard’s death.
While the criminal case moves forward, the children and relatives left behind must deal with the consequences of what happened inside that McLean Street home. Howard’s death has taken a mother away from four children and left a family facing a painful loss. The investigation remains ongoing.
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