MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Nearly two months after a double homicide investigation and standoff unfolded in Mooresville, a trio of teen boys now face charges tied to what unfolded.
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, May 1, that a 17-year-old and two 15-year-olds would face charges. The 17-year-old and one 15-year-old are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, three counts of felony armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony conspiracy to commit murder.
The other 15-year-old is charged with felony assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.
Two of the teens are being held in South Carolina, while one is being held in North Carolina.
Deputies first responded to a house on Home Drive in Mooresville on March 9, 2024, after someone reported gunshots were fired. Inside, three people were found tied up; two of the victims were already shot dead, later identified as 22-year-old Eduardo Cordova of Mooresville and 24-year-old Caleb Loper of Lincolnton. The third victim was found wounded and taken to a hospital.
"This was not a random home invasion," Sheriff Darren Campbell said at the time, "the suspect and victims were known to each other, and narcotics and robbery are a possible motive."
The investigation quickly led deputies to another home on Oswalt Amity Road, near the Troutman community. Deputies said 39-year-old Justin Michael Strawser met them and pointed an AR-15 at them, before barricading himself inside and shooting at deputies.
This led to a standoff that lasted for roughly eight hours. Deputies said each time they tried to get Strawser to leave, he instead shot at them and hit patrol cars. Additionally, a group of four teens inside the house were not cooperating with rescue attempts.
The teens ultimately left when law enforcement placed gas inside the house. Strawser followed behind them and shot at deputies once again. While he was wearing a bulletproof vest, deputies returned fire and killed him.
Days after the standoff, Strawser's wife would also be arrested. Deputies said 40-year-old Ashlee Louise Klepfer allegedly helped her husband after Cordova and Loper were killed and gave the teens access to guns during the standoff. She was arrested during a traffic stop in Statesville, and officers said a 15-year-old boy in the car also had meth and a loaded gun.
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