A U.S. Marine and devoted father of two was enjoying a peaceful Sunday afternoon ride on his new motorcycle — a ride he had dreamed of sharing one day with his sons — when he was tragically shot and killed in a shocking road rage incident in North Carolina.
Dylan Rasmussen, 31, had just picked up new tires for his bike and was on his way home after getting a fresh haircut, according to Ryne Snooks, owner of the local motorcycle shop. “I heard he just got his haircut and was going home,” Snooks told NBC affiliate WITN.
The fatal shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Burgaw Highway and Holly Shelter Road in Onslow County. James Wells, 43, is accused of stopping his vehicle and getting into a heated argument with Rasmussen, who was riding his motorcycle. During the confrontation, Wells reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Rasmussen once in the chest, according to court documents and police.
Deputies found Rasmussen with a gunshot wound and rushed him to a hospital, where he later died. Authorities confirmed that the deadly altercation stemmed from road rage, and that the two men did not know each other.
Wells fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is currently held on a $500,000 bond.
“This was an isolated event,” the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. District Attorney Ernie Lee condemned the senseless violence, saying, “Life is way too short to engage in this type of behavior. Just don’t pull a weapon out on someone. It’s just not worth it.”
Sheriff Chris Thomas also urged the public to avoid escalating confrontations with aggressive drivers, warning, “You never know what a stranger is capable of.”
A GoFundMe set up for Rasmussen’s family reveals the loving man behind the headlines — a Marine who dedicated his life to serving his country and protecting his family, and who dreamed of sharing many more rides with his sons as they grew up.
“His love, strength, and unwavering commitment to those he loved were evident in everything he did,” the fundraiser’s description reads, making this tragic loss even harder to bear.
Hey wells, why did you flee the scene you big wussy???
Why did run away??? Why didn’t you stick around you imbecile??
Another fool who should be removed from society.Praying for this fine young man who lost his life by a stupid idiot