Homicide Investigation – Fifth Street Shooting Incident
August 3, 2025
Statesville, NC – On Saturday, August 2, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Statesville Police Department was dispatched to a report of a gunshot victim in the 1000 block of Fifth Street. Upon arrival, officers located a female lying in front of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as 51-year-old Surtonia Burton, a resident of Fifth Street.
Ms. Burton was transported by Iredell County EMS for emergency medical treatment but, sadly, succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
The Statesville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to process evidence and conduct the investigation. Through investigative efforts, 26-year-old Titeon Breshaun Burton, also of Fifth Street, was identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
At approximately 4:45 p.m., SPD officers located Titeon Burton at a business on Oakland Avenue. As officers attempted to detain him, Burton refused to comply and fled on foot. Officers pursued Burton to the rear of a residence on Broom Street, where he sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound as officers approached. He was transported by Iredell County EMS but was pronounced deceased en route to the hospital.
The Statesville Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the Burton family during this tragic time.
This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Statesville Police Department at (704) 878-3406. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the “See Something, Say Something” portal at https://police.statesvillenc.net/see-something-say-something-contact-us/.
