LUMBERTON — A man who police believe is responsible for the shooting deaths of two women in a home near Red Springs on Feb. 13 is no longer on life support, but has not yet been charged with the murders.

Capt. Anthony Thompson of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said that Joseph Matteson, 31 at the time of the shooting death, is “conscious but not alert.”

“We’re waiting to see what is his condition,” Thompson said. “It is apparent that he is improving … .”

Randall Graham, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said that Matteson is at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after suffering severe dinjuries on Feb. 13.

Investigators say that Matteson shot and killed his 55-year-old mother, Donna Matteson, and 59-year-old Kathy Bullard, a little after 5:30 p.m. at Bullard’s home at 12156 N.C. West near Red Springs. They believe that Matteson intended to kill his wife, Kendra Matteson, but ran out of ammunition.

Mark Anthony Bullard, 28 at the time of the shooting, suffered gunshot wounds during the incident and was treated and released from UNC Hospitals. Sheriff’s officials say piecing together what happened that day has been made more difficult because they have been unable to interview Joseph Matteson because of his injuries. Investigators believe Mark Anthony Bullard and an unidentified friend beat Matteson after the shooting began, causing his injuries.