Tyler Weaver, a 25-year-old two-time national kart racing champion from North Carolina, was tragically killed during a violent home invasion. The incident occurred on October 24 in his Forest City residence, where he was found dead by police responding to a reported break-in. Weaver and his fiancée, Nevaeh Quintero, were at home when the assailants broke into their house and began shooting.
Weaver, who had twice secured the Maxxis Kart Racing National Championship in 2018, was shot multiple times. Quintero, however, was able to escape the scene and alert the authorities. The cause of Weaver’s death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, ruling it a homicide.
Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy described the incident as a “targeted” attack, suggesting that Weaver was the victim of a “robbery gone bad.” The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Quitez Watkins and 26-year-old Jaquavious Craig, fled the scene following the shooting. Arrest warrants were issued for both men three days later.
On November 3, Watkins was apprehended by the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, led by the US Marshals Office. Craig subsequently turned himself in to the Rutherford County police. Both men are currently being held at the Rutherford County Detention Center without bond. Watkins and Craig have a history of criminal activity, with Watkins previously arrested for a range of offenses including assault with a deadly weapon and drug trafficking, and Craig facing multiple felony charges in the past.
Weaver, who was also an electrical tradesman, was mourned by his friends and family. His sister, Taylor Weaver, expressed her grief on social media, describing her brother as a “kind, beautiful soul with the biggest heart” who was taken too soon.
Weaver’s mother, Amanda Rogers, drew parallels between her situation and that of Erika Kirk, who publicly forgave her husband’s killer at his funeral. Rogers admitted to struggling with the loss of her son, who she described as having a “heart of gold.”
Maxxis Kart Racing North America paid tribute to Weaver and his late father, Danny, who passed away in September 2021. The organization praised the father-son duo for their love of racing and the pride they took in their championships.