2 Men Arrested After National Kart Racing Champion, 25, Dies in Alleged 'Targeted' Home Invasion with Fiancee Also Present By Gabrielle Rockson

Two men have been arrested in relation to the death of a national kart racing champion after an alleged home invasion in Forest City, N.C.

On Oct. 24, 25-year-old Tyler Weaver, who won the Maxxis National Championship twice in 2018, was found dead on the floor of a property after police were called to a home invasion at around 9:50 a.m., authorities confirmed in a press release published on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy told WLOS that Weaver died after sustaining “multiple gunshot wounds.” The police chief described the case as a  “robbery gone bad,” adding that it appeared to have been a “targeted” incident.

In an earlier update shared with WLOS, LeRoy said that Weaver’s partner, fiancée Nevaeh Quintero, was present in the home at the time of the invasion. However, she managed to escape and alerted authorities.

According to the press release, first responders searched “the wooded area surrounding the home” for the suspects but were unable to find them.

After an investigation, arrest warrants for first-degree murder were issued against Jaquavious Antwan Craig, 26, of Grover, N.C., and Quitez Lamare Watkins, 35, of Lawndale, N.C., authorities revealed.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Watkins was taken into custody and held without bond by the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force; Craig surrendered on the same day at the Rutherford County Detention Center. 

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“He remains in custody without bond pending his first appearance in District Court,” officials wrote of Craig in the release.

“The investigation remains active, and detectives continue to pursue additional leads. The Forest City Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to all the partnering agencies whose collaboration was critical in bringing this case to this stage,” they wrote.

Authorities added, “Without the assistance of the Tri-City Violent Crime Task Force, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Office, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, and Shelby Police Department, this progress would have taken much longer and delayed closure for the victim’s family.”

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PEOPLE has contacted the Forest City Police Department for further comment.

Their next court appearance is set to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to Fox Carolina.

Following Weaver’s death, Maxxis Kart Racing North America paid tribute on social media.

“All of us at Maxxis Kart Racing are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Tyler Weaver, a 2018 Maxxis National Champion, at just 25 years old,” they wrote. “Tyler and his late father, Danny Weaver, were an inseparable team — their love for racing and the pride they carried in that championship defined what this sport is all about.”

They continued, “Tyler was one of the most proud champions we’ve ever had, and his legacy will always be part of the Maxxis family. Our hearts are with his loved ones and everyone who had the honor of racing alongside him.”

“Once a champion, always a champion,” the post concluded.

According to his obituary, Weaver was working as an electrical tradesman in construction. He is survived by his mother, step-father, sisters, Quintero and more family members.