In a heartbreaking incident on Valentine's Day, a Ukrainian refugee living in North Carolina with her U.S. military boyfriend was fatally shot, allegedly by a man she had previously dated in Ohio. The tragic event has left families grieving and highlighted concerns over domestic violence.
Details of the Shooting
Kateryna Tovmash, 21, and her boyfriend Matthew Wade, 28, who was stationed at Fort Bragg, were found dead at a residence in Vass after police responded to a report of a shooting on Saturday. According to a statement by the Moore County Sheriff's Office, the shooter was identified as Tovmash's ex-boyfriend from Ohio, Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh, 25, who fled back to his home state after the shooting.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities issued a warrant for Fosnaugh's arrest on charges of breaking and entering and two counts of murder. He was apprehended by police in Ohio in a coordinated effort with the Coshocton County Sheriff's Office that same day. Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields expressed condolences, stating, "This is a tragic and senseless loss of life. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this difficult time." He added, "We are grateful for the swift coordination and assistance from our law enforcement partners in bringing this individual into custody."
Family Responses and Fundraisers
One of Wade's sisters wrote on Facebook that her brother's funeral expenses will be covered by the military, but she shared a link to a fundraiser to help offset costs for Tovmash. The fundraiser noted that the 21-year-old Ukrainian had "moved to the United States to leave behind the war and begin a new chapter here." Another sister of Wade's posted that Tovmash had been caring for her younger siblings when her ex entered the home and "forced one of her siblings to wake her" before shooting the couple in bed. She wrote, "Life is so unfair. No one should ever get a call saying their loved one was murdered. Especially not over something as small as jealousy."
Broader Context and Safety Concerns
Sources told local news station WRAL that Tovmash's younger siblings had let Fosnaugh into the house, unaware of his intentions. One of Tovmash's brothers, who was not at the home during the crime, shared on Instagram, "this is a second time for the past year, when a Ukrainian woman who is a refugee and is hiding for safety in North Carolina, gets murdered." He referenced 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on a commuter train last year. He added, "As much as I can be mad, upset, and wroth with God about what happened, I am thankful the murderer didn't touch any of my younger siblings who were at the house during that time."
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by refugees and the importance of domestic violence awareness. For help, in the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
