Alan Douglas Gates was arrested Monday night at the home of his wife, Janet Clark Gates, said officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
He was being held Tuesday without bond in the Orange County Jail.
Those shot to death were Valerie Michelle Gates, 24; her friend, Cordea Shimara Lee, 21; and Kendall Alexander Dianis, 3, Lee's son.
The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported that deputies went to the home of Janet Gates at 2723 Orange Chapel Clover Garden Church Road shortly after 8 p.m. Monday because her estranged husband, Alan Gates, 52, was there in violation of a court order issued June 11 in Orange County District Court. When deputies arrived they found Alan Gates on a bed with a revolver by his side.
As they were placing Alan Gates under arrest, Janet Gates went to the back of the house, where she discovered the three bodies.
