Suspect in Raleigh theatre director’s death recorded shooting: warrants

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — New search warrants obtained in the shooting death of a Raleigh theatre director claim the suspect in the case recorded the incident.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office reported they were called to a fatal shooting on March 17 in Smithfield. When they arrived, the found 44-year-old Emily Steinhoff with a gunshot wound to her torso area.

Dorian Thomas, 50, is charged with first degree murder in her death. The sheriff’s office said the shooting happened during a child custody swap.

CBS 17 learned from the district attorney’s office there was no formal custody agreement between the two, but Thomas had kept the child longer than what was agreed to for that weekend.

According to search warrants for Dorian’s Bear Oak Drive home, Steinhoff accompanied her sister, Hillary Lombardi, to take custody of their one-year-old child. The warrants state that Thomas refused to open the door upon their arrival.

After a period of knocking on the door, warrants say Thomas opened the door and fired a gun. Steinhoff was shot and killed while standing on the porch.

CBS 17 learned Steinhoff was a big part of the Raleigh Little Theatre (RLT). The Executive Producer, Michele Weathers, said the community was devastated by Steinhoff’s death and thay she was a great, shiny star. Weathers also told CBS 17 Steinhoff was an army vet, UNC Law graduate and Duke Nursing graduate.

Upon their search of Thomas’ property, investigators reported finding a pistol, a fired cartridge case and three cell phones.

After a brief interview with Lombardi at the scene, police said they learned the phone contained a recording of the shooting. A search warrant for Thomas’ phone states Lombardi told police Thomas was recording her with his cell phone through the front window of his home when she and Steinhoff arrived for the custody exchange.

The sheriff’s office also obtained and reviewed a recorded 911 call made by Thomas after Steinhoff was shot. The investigators reported Thomas states during the call that he “got it on video.”

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