Katelyn Self, 26, was one of two people killed after her father, Roger Self, crashed his car into a North Carolina restaurant. Self was an off-duty officer with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department, employed as a corporal. The incident took place at Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City, North Carolina, located in Gaston County, which is around 30 miles outside of Charlotte. The attack may have been intentional.
What Happened?
BREAKING: Two family members just came up and said one of their family members died inside. pic.twitter.com/2tLMhAFl0j
— Brandon Goldner (@BrandonWCNC) May 20, 2018
Roger Self reportedly sat his family down at the Surf and Turf Lodge before leaving the establishment and allegedly driving his car into the front door of the restaurant at around 12:04 P.M. The vehicle used in the attack is reportedly a white Jeep SUV. The attack may be on purpose, according to early reports in the Gazette.
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 pic.twitter.com/YQVbBpDU0w
— Ben Williamson (@benlwilliamson) May 20, 2018
Authorities say that the suspect, Self, was driving his vehicle at a high speed when he crashed through the restaurant into the section where his family was sitting.
“I heard a loud boom,” said Caleb Martin, the restaurant’s busser, in an interview with WCNC. “I turned the corner and saw the back of a white car in the doorway. I didn’t know what to do.”
According to Martin, the suspect was a regular customer at the Surf and Turf Lodge. He also told WCNC that the event on Sunday has affected him both mentally and emotionally.
“It’s definitely changed me mentally and emotionally,” said Martin. “I definitely want to help people more in any way I can.”
Who is Katelyn Self?
Katelyn Self
Katelyn “Kate” Self has been identified as one of the victims in Sunday’s crash at the Surf and Turf Lodge. Kate was an off-duty officer with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the attack.
The Gaston County Sherriff’s Department released a statement regarding the death of one of their officers, Katelyn Self:
“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 pic.twitter.com/uBGdsB69pj
— alex peterson (@alexpABC27) May 20, 2018
Katelyn’s Boyfriend Is Also A Member of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office
Facebook photo of Katelyn Self and her boyfriend Alex Burns
Alex Burns is the boyfriend of the now-deceased Katelyn Self. Burns is also an officer with the Gaston County Sherriff’s Department, and was injured as a result of Sunday’s attack at the Surf and Turf Lodge.
The alleged attacker also had a son who worked with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office. According to LinkedIn, Josh Self, Roger Self’s son is employed as an officer with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department.
