Bessemer City Surf And Turf Crash: Sheriff's Deputy Among 2 Dead

BESSEMER CITY, NC — Two people were killed, including a Gaston County Sheriff's Deputy, when a man drove his car into a restaurant in Bessemer City on Sunday, authorities said. Officials said preliminary information indicates the man, who police identified as Roger Self, intentionally drove into the restaurant.

One of the victims killed in the crash was identified as Katelyn Self, a sheriff's deputy with the Gaston County Sheriff's Office and the suspect's daughter. Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger said at a press conference that Self started out as a detention officer before working her way up to become a deputy. She was off-duty at the time of the incident.

"Today we lost one of our own, Deputy Katelyn Self, in a tragic incident that occurred while she was not on duty," the Gaston County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. "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."

Officials have not identified the second victim who was killed. Multiple others were injured.

Bessemer City police chief Tom Ellis said at a press conference that the car drove into the Surf and Turf Lodge around noon on Sunday. Ellis said officers responded to the scene said the car was completely in the building.

Roger Self was taken into custody immediately after the car drove into the restaurant, Ellis said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, which is assisting Bessemer City officials with the investigation, said in a tweet that the incident is "domestic-related." The department also said no other suspects were being sought.

Citing sources, WBTV reported that Self apparently came to the restaurant with his family, got up and left and then drove his car into the building.

Patch will update this report.

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