The shooting happened Tuesday afternoon in the area of Samuel Drive just outside Red Springs.
Deputies say when they arrived they found four people who had been shot multiple times.
Donald Williams, 51, Sierra Nicole Wherry, 34, James Elijah Beauregard, 45, died. The fourth victim Equilla Williams Biggs, 71, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Robeson County Sheriff identifies victims in quadruple shooting that killed 3
She was letting the suspect, her nephew Corey Leak, stay at her house when the shooting took place.
"What has happened here is we have basically taken away a family," Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said. The sheriff said the shooting was caused by missing money that belonged to the suspect. Based on witness statements a handgun was used, but it has not been recovered.
WATCH: FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW
Robeson County Sheriff identifies victims of quadruple shooting
Daventis Thompson says his aunt and two of his uncles are the three victims.
"Nobody deserved this. Red springs is hurt right now. You see all of these cars. You don't have to be related here. We're all a family. All raised together and they took someone from one of these generations. Like I can't see my aunt or uncle anymore," he said.
The sheriff's office said Leak was out on parole for a murder that took place in 1993.
He was related to the victims.