National kart racing champion murdered in North Carolina home invasion

A North Carolina home invasion has claimed the life of a national go-kart racing champion – gunned down in front of his fiancée during a late-morning burglary last month, authorities say.

Tyler Weaver, 25, was fatally shot during what the local police chief called a “targeted” robbery that took place around 10 a.m. on Oct. 24, according to the Forest City Police Department.

Weaver’s fiancee, Nevaeh Quintero, was held at gunpoint but managed to escape and call 911, according to court documents.

‘Career criminal’ kills two women, injures child in Minneapolis carjacking: prosecutors

Quit Watkins, 35, and Jaquavious Craig, 26, face first-degree murder charges after a fatal home invasion robbery targeting 25-year-old former karting champion Tyler Weaver in his North Carolina home. (Tyler Weaver/Facebook, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department)

The suspects are both repeat offenders who avoided capture for 10 days before authorities caught up with them. They were later identified as Quitez Watkins, 35, and Jaquavious Craig, 26, according to the Forest City Police Department.

Both men face first-degree murder charges. Both have criminal histories.

Tyler Weaver, right, poses with his late father Daniel Weaver after a national championship-winning ride in 2018. (Tyler Weaver/Facebook)

Watkins, who received the nickname “Bando Red” in jail, was arrested Tuesday and is being held without bail, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Despite a violent criminal history, he was free on bond due to a series of pending charges in Rutherford, Cleveland and Polk counties, according to court records. He was convicted in federal court of assault resulting in death of a person.

Craig, the alleged “mastermind” of the crime, was on probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm before the killing, according to court documents.

LEAVITT EXPLAINS “MANY OUTLETS IN THIS ROOM” AT BRIEFING SO NOT TO COVER UP THE MURDER OF IRYNA ZARUTSKA

Tyler Weaver, left, with his mother, sister and niece in an undated family photo. (Taylor Weaver/Facebook)

Authorities did not immediately reveal why they believed Craig would have chosen Weaver as a target.

Craig was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon from 2020, according to court documents. The judge also ordered him held without bail.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Weaver was the 2018 national champion at Maxxis Kart Racing North America. The organization called him “one of the proudest champions we’ve ever had” in a Facebook post mourning his death.

Weaver and Quintero were expecting their first son in April 2026, according to an online obituary.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Forest City Police at 828-248-5555.