Photo: Facebook
He killed his daughter and daughter-in-law.
By Sarah Gangraw — Written on May 21, 2018
A North Carolina man drove his car into a local restaurant he frequented with his family, killing two people and injuring several others.
Roger Self, 62, killed his daughter and daughter-in-law on May 20 when he drove at full speed into the Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City. Several other people, including customers not related to Roger, were injured, though their injuries are not life-threatening, USA Today reports.
"Tragic, tragic loss of life," Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger said. "I'm asking people just to keep the family in your prayers, and the sheriff's office, because we're suffering right now."
Roger is being held at the Gaston County jail without bail.
Here is everything you need to know about the father who intentionally drove his car into a restaurant while his family enjoyed lunch:
1. Roger sat his family near the front of the restaurant on purpose.
Before he drove his vehicle through the building, Roger and his family sat down for a casual Sunday meal. He purposely chose a table near the door of the restaurant before he got up, left the Surf and Turf Lodge and sped into the establishment.
“I saw a white Jeep just fly right past my face,” said Brandon Wilson, a waiter at the lodge. “It was so unreal. I saw chairs and tables and cups just flying everywhere. It just sounded like a tornado.”
2. Roger killed his daughter and daughter-in-law.
When the car crashed into the Surf and Turf Lodge, two people were killed. Roger’s daughter, Katelyn Self, and his daughter-in-law, Amanda Self, lost their lives.
Katelyn was a Gaston County Sheriff’s Deputy of four years and was off-duty at the time of her death. Amanda was a nurse at CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
“Today we lost one of our own, Deputy Katelyn Self, in a tragic incident that occurred while she was not on duty,” Cloninger said in a statement. “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.”
3. Others were seriously injured.
Amanda’s husband and Gaston County Police Officer Josh Self was injured, as well as Roger’s wife, Diane, and the 13-year-old daughter of Josh and Amanda Self, according to the Gaston Gazette.
They are all expected to make a full recovery.
4. He was battling mental health problems.
According to those close to Roger, he had recently been struggling with depression and mental illness, the Gaston Gazette reports.
"He has been a shining light as to what it means to love people and then all of a sudden, about two months ago, it was like someone flipped a switch. I had never met this man,” said Pastor Austin Rammell, the minister of Venture Church where the Self family regularly attended.
Friends told the news outlet that Roger was paranoid around other people and would stay in bed for days at a time.
He was taking medication for anxiety, but friends said he still considered himself “evil.”
“He was trying to get help,” Pastor Rammell said. “We were trying to steer him toward help.”
5. His wife posted a loving message on Facebook the day before.
“My husband has made me laugh. Wiped my tears. Hugged me tight. Watched me succeed. Seen me fail. Kept me strong. My husband is a promise that I will have a friend forever,” Diane Self’s post reads.
She tagged Roger in the post with a heart emoji.
6. Police believe the incident was a result of domestic issues.
“Preliminary information indicates Surf and Turf Lodge incident is domestic related,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced via Twitter.
Nothing further has been released in regards to a motive for the attack.
7. Roger was a high-ranking businessman.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Roger was the president of Southeastern Loss Management Inc. for 29 years and formerly worked as a police officer.
“Roger Self is the owner and President of Southeastern Loss Management Inc. Southeastern Loss Management has been in operation since 1989 and located just outside Charlotte N.C.,” his profile reads. “He is a licensed Private Investigator, specializing in business losses. Roger has conducted thousands of interviews with employees who have admitted to embezzlement. Roger has the unique ability to obtain information from individuals who have committed an assortment fraud and business crimes.”
8. He could be behind bars for life.
Roger is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, arrest records show. If convicted, he could serve life in prison without parole.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday at 2 p.m.