A U.S. Army master sergeant died Monday while trying to help his daughter leave the home she shared with her boyfriend in northern Bladen County.

Dexter Tyrone Scott, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies arrested Senaca Jeneric Wall, 25, on murder charges, according to Lt. Larry Guyton of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department. Wall was charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond in the Bladen County Jail.

Guyton said Wall and Scott’s 20-year-old daughter, Courtney, lived at 6350 Chickenfoot Road, with Wall’s mother Rachel. Wall and Miss Scott were arguing Monday when she called her father.

Dexter Scott and his wife Keisha came to the home to help their daughter move out, Guyton said. While there, Guyton said, an altercation developed between Dexter Scott and Rachel Wall.

“The suspect became involved at that point,” Guyton said.

Seneca Wall allegedly grabbed a paring knife and stabbed Dexter Scott twice in the back while they were fighting, Guyton said.

Bladen County Sheriff Steve Bunn said Scott made it back to his vehicle and retrieved a gun before collapsing. Scott fired several rounds into the air, Bunn said, and died in his daughter’s arms. Bladen County Coroner Hubert Kinlaw pronounced Scott dead at the scene.

Rachel Wall and several witnesses ran to assist Scott, Bunn said, but were unable to help. Seneca Wall remained at the scene until law enforcement arrived, and surrendered.

“He realized too late what he had done,” Bunn said. “He realized he had messed up and let his temper get out of control, and there was no going back.”

Dexter Scott was on active duty as an instructor with the UNC-Chapel Hill ROTC program. A statement released by UNC said Scott was a former drill instructor and reconnasaince platoon sergeant, and had served with the 82nd Airborne. He was also an Army Ranger. Scott was in charge of teaching ROTC cadets basic military skills like physical fitness, marching and marksmanship, according to the release.

Scott lived at 6148 Louise St., Fayetteville. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Army officials are investigating the case.

Body found near Bladen County

A Fayetteville man was found dead in the trunk of his car Monday in Cumberland County a few yards from the Bladen County line.

John William Fletcher, 48, was discovered in the trunk of his 1998 Cadillac on Monday afternoon. The car was parked on a dirt road off N.C. 53 West.

Fletcher lived at 208 Haigh St. in Fayetteville. He was reported missing by a family member Monday morning. The body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy, according to a news release form the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities did not release the apparent cause of death, or if Fletcher was murdered.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen Fletcher or his vehicle Monday in the northern Bladen County area to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 323-1500.