4 Teens Charged With Allegedly Killing 8-Year-Old Girl, Injuring 7-Year-Old Boy

Four teenagers have been charged for their alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl and injured a 7-year-old boy in North Carolina, Statesville police said.

Three of the suspects — 18-year-old Nasir Cor’lee Turner, of Mooresville, 19-year-old Sayqwon Kalil Miller, of Statesville, and 19-year-old Donnell Ellison, of Statesville — have each been charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, felony conspiracy and discharging a weapon into occupied property causing serious injury, Fox 8 reported.

The identity of the fourth suspect, who is 17 years old, has not been released. A juvenile petition was obtained for him with the same charges as the three other men.

According to Statesville police, one of the suspects, Ellison, remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. The public is advised to immediately call 911 should they spot him.

The drive-by shooting allegedly occurred at around 6:56 p.m. on June 28 along Wilson Lee Boulevard in Statesville. Police who responded to a report of shots fired found 8-year-old Ah’Miyahh Howell and her 7-year-old cousin Tariq Lowery with gunshot wounds outside of a home.

Both children were immediately rushed to the hospital. The young girl died from the injuries she sustained.

Following the shooting, Statesville police reached out to the community and sought help in solving the crime. Officers were told that there were people outside when the incident happened, but no witnesses came forward to give a statement.

The Statesville Police, with the help of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, managed to locate two vehicles in connection with the incident. The first vehicle was a white 2003 Honda Accord, while the second was a white 2013 Mercedes C250. Police said they took the vehicles to look for evidence.

Forensic evidence was found in the two vehicles. Along with leads and evidence from the scene of the crime, authorities were able to identify the four suspects.

Investigators in Statesville are leading the investigation of the case. Statesville police said Friday that additional arrests may follow.

The Statesville Police Department has asked those who may have information related to the shooting to call 704-878-3406.

Howell and Lowery were not the only ones who were shot that night. A 10-year-old boy was also shot in a similar drive-by incident on Newbern Avenue as officers investigated the first shooting. The minor was expected to make a full recovery, WCNC reported.

It was not indicated in the Fox 8 report if the same teens were suspected of injuring the 10-year-old boy.