Two years after Chadbourn mobile home shooting, family still awaits arrests in 7-year-old’s killing
A case that remains open with no publicly announced suspect
Two years after a 7-year-old child was killed when gunfire struck a family home in Columbus County, North Carolina, the investigation remains unresolved and the family continues to seek answers about who was responsible and why the shooting happened.
The child, Antonio Jamal Maultsby Jr., was shot on the night of March 16, 2024. Investigators have said the gunfire was directed into a mobile home in Chadbourn, and that Antonio was inside the residence at the time. A 3-year-old child and other people were also reported to have been inside the home when the shots were fired.
As of the most recently available public updates from local authorities, no arrests have been announced in connection with the killing. Investigators have continued to ask the public for information and have maintained a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest.
What investigators have said about obstacles and leads
Authorities have described the case as a continuing priority and have said they are still working leads. Public statements from law enforcement have also indicated that the pace of progress can be affected by the availability and willingness of witnesses to come forward promptly and provide detailed information.
In public messaging over the past two years, investigators have emphasized that even small details—such as vehicles seen near the scene, unusual activity in the area, or information circulating informally—can help corroborate timelines and identify potential suspects.
Incident date: March 16, 2024
Location: Chadbourn, Columbus County, North Carolina
Victim: Antonio Jamal Maultsby Jr., age 7
Status: investigation ongoing; no publicly announced arrests
Reward: publicized as $4,400 for information leading to an arrest
Community response and prevention efforts
In the months following the killing, public-facing efforts in the county included renewed attention to community watch initiatives designed to increase communication among neighbors and create structured channels for reporting suspicious activity. Such programs typically focus on encouraging residents to document and report observations, strengthen relationships with law enforcement, and improve the consistency of neighborhood-level information sharing.
“We want justice… but the family has to help us,” Sheriff Bill Rogers said in a televised update during the first year of the investigation.
What remains unknown
Key investigative details have not been publicly confirmed, including a motive, the number of shooters involved, the type of firearm used, and whether the home or any occupants were specifically targeted. Authorities have not publicly disclosed forensic findings or whether ballistic evidence ties the shooting to other incidents.
For the family, the central issue remains unchanged two years later: the absence of an arrest and the uncertainty of when the case will move from investigation to prosecution.