A 47-year-old North Carolina USA father was shot dead while trying to protect his 16-year-old daughter from her boyfriend, who is now facing a murder charge.

According to the Concord Police Department, officers responded to a shooting at a residence on Bedlington Drive NW in Concord shortly after midnight on June 1. Upon arrival, they found Lester Jones and his teenage daughter suffering from gunshot wounds.

Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, while his daughter was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators said the shooting followed an argument between the 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old boyfriend, Keshaun Degraffenreid, which allegedly escalated into a physical assault. Police said Jones was shot while attempting to intervene and protect his daughter, who was also struck by gunfire.

Degraffenreid was arrested after a brief foot chase and is being charged as an adult. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, domestic violence, resisting officers, and drug-related offences.

Neighbours described Jones as a devoted father who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his child. The suspect remains in custody without bond and is scheduled to return to court on June 18.