Vass, North Carolina, February 17, 2026
A tragic shooting in Vass, North Carolina, left a Ukrainian refugee and a U.S. Army soldier dead. The incident has drawn attention to domestic violence issues, particularly among vulnerable populations like refugees. Authorities quickly apprehended the suspect, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, in Ohio, raising concerns about the safety of those seeking asylum from war-torn regions. Community members are mourning the loss of the couple, highlighting the pressing issue of domestic violence.
Vass, North Carolina – A Valentine’s Day tragedy in Moore County saw a Ukrainian refugee and a U.S. Army soldier fatally shot inside their home, leading to the rapid arrest of the woman’s former boyfriend in Ohio. The incident, which occurred Saturday morning, has shocked the community and underscored the devastating impact of domestic violence.
Authorities responded to a residence on Daphne Lane in the Woodlake community of Vass around 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of 21-year-old Kateryna Tovmash and 28-year-old Matthew Wade. Investigators determined that the couple had been killed in bed.
Swift Apprehension of Suspect
The alleged perpetrator, 25-year-old Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh, was identified quickly by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Fosnaugh, who was Tovmash’s ex-boyfriend, fled the scene after the killings. Law enforcement agencies, including the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, worked to track him, advising that he might be traveling back to Ohio.
Later the same day, approximately 400 miles away from the crime scene, Fosnaugh was located and apprehended in Ohio by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Coshocton County deputies. He was taken into custody in Linton Township at the intersection of State Route 541 and County Road 120. Fosnaugh faces charges of two counts of murder and breaking and entering. He is currently held in the Coshocton County Justice Center, awaiting extradition to Moore County, North Carolina, where his case will be handled.
Victims Remembered
Kateryna Tovmash was a refugee from Ukraine, having moved to the United States about two years prior with her family to escape the ongoing conflict in her home country. She hailed from Bila Tserkva, a city approximately two hours from Kyiv. Friends and family remember her as a caring individual, particularly for her younger siblings whom she was looking after in the U.S. Her childhood best friend described her as someone who “always took care of them and not just her siblings but all children.” Tovmash’s family has since settled in Utah.
Matthew Wade, originally from Mississippi, was an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Bragg. His sister fondly remembered him as “a kind, loving, caring man.” The military will cover the expenses for Wade’s funeral.
Investigators confirmed that Tovmash and Fosnaugh had been in a previous relationship while both resided in Ohio. The precise motive for the killings has not been publicly detailed by authorities, but the connection between the suspect and one of the victims suggests a domestic dispute.
Broader Context of Violence
This incident marks the second violent death of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina within a six-month period. This refers to the August 2025 killing of Iryna Zarutska, 23, in Charlotte, which sparked significant concern regarding the safety of refugees in the state. The repeated nature of such tragedies has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking sanctuary from war and conflict.
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the Valentine’s Day slayings, working towards a thorough understanding of the events that transpired. The community of Vass and the wider North Carolina region mourn the loss of Tovmash and Wade, whose lives were tragically cut short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Valentine’s Day double homicide occur?
The Valentine’s Day double homicide occurred in Vass, Moore County, North Carolina, specifically in the Woodlake community on the outskirts of Raleigh.
When did the killings happen?
The killings happened on Saturday, February 14, around 7:45 a.m.
Who were the victims of the Valentine’s Day shooting?
The victims were 21-year-old Kateryna Tovmash, a Ukrainian refugee, and 28-year-old Matthew Wade, a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bragg.
Who is the alleged perpetrator?
The alleged perpetrator is 25-year-old Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh.
What was the relationship between the alleged perpetrator and the victims?
Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh was Kateryna Tovmash’s ex-boyfriend; they had a previous relationship in Ohio.
Where and when was the suspect arrested?
Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh fled the scene and was arrested later the same day (February 14, 2026) in Ohio, approximately 400 miles away, by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Coshocton County deputies.
What charges does the suspect face?
Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh faces charges of two counts of murder and breaking and entering.
What is known about Kateryna Tovmash’s background?
Kateryna Tovmash was a Ukrainian refugee who moved to the U.S. about two years ago from Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, to escape war. She was caring for her younger siblings, and her family has settled in Utah.
What is known about Matthew Wade’s background?
Matthew Wade, originally from Mississippi, was an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Bragg. His funeral expenses will be covered by the military.
Is this an isolated incident for Ukrainian refugees in North Carolina?
No, this marks the second violent death of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina within a six-month period, following the killing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte in August 2025.
Key Details of the Valentine’s Day Homicide
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location of Incident | Vass, Moore County, North Carolina (Woodlake community) |
| Date and Time | Saturday, February 14, around 7:45 a.m. |
| Victims | Kateryna Tovmash (21, Ukrainian refugee) and Matthew Wade (28, U.S. Army soldier) |
| Alleged Perpetrator | Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh (25) |
| Perpetrator’s Relationship to Victim | Ex-boyfriend of Kateryna Tovmash |
| Arrest Location | Ohio (Coshocton County) |
| Charges | Two counts of murder and breaking and entering |
| Tovmash’s Background | Ukrainian refugee, fled war, caring for younger siblings |
| Wade’s Background | U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bragg |
| Context | Second violent death of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina in six months |
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