Man who drove car into restaurant killing family members suffering from depression, pastor says

BESSEMER CITY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - A former Gastonia police officer and a current private investigator accused of crashing his vehicle into a local restaurant Sunday, killing his daughter and daughter-in-law, was suffering from severe depression and anxiety, according to his pastor. 

Roger Self is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He went before a judge Monday and is being held at the Gaston County jail under no bond. 

Authorities said Self intentionally drove his vehicle into the Surf & Turf Restaurant on North 14th Street in Bessemer City. The wreck killed his daughter, Katelyn Self, who was a Gaston County Sheriff's Deputy, and his daughter-in-law, Amanda Self, who was an emergency room nurse at CaroMont Health. 

Self's wife, Diane Self, 53, son, Joshua Self, 38, and his 13-year-old granddaughter were also injured in the crash and were taken to the hospital. Diane and Joshua are listed in critical condition.

According to Pastor Austin Rammell with Venture Church, Roger Self notified his family he was suffering from depression and anxiety roughly two months ago and asked them to take away his guns.

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The family had been actively trying to get Roger Self help before the tragic crash. 

"It doesn't add up to the person they know," Rammell said Monday. “Not in a million years would anyone who knew Roger Self would ever imagine this."

Self was taken into custody by police on Sunday. More charges could follow, police said. 

According to Rammell, Deputy Kate Self made the lunch reservation after church. She wanted her family to just have a good time with their dad.

Roger reportedly got up from the table, circled in the parking lot in his car, and rammed his car through the window of the restaurant, according to Rammel. 

Katelyn Self was engaged to marry Officer Alex Burns of the Gastonia Police Department. He was sitting next to her in the restaurant when her life was taken after her father drove into the restaurant.

“The man you’re seeing a picture of is not the man that any of us has ever known until a few months ago," Rammel said. 

To watch the news conference Monday by the family's pastor, click here: