17-year-old charged in shooting that killed boy during street fight in Monroe, police say

MONROE, N.C. — A 17-year-old was arrested in a deadly shooting that left a 12-year-old dead and another child hurt Saturday night during a “large street fight” in Monroe, police said.

The shooting happened on Skywatch Lane, which is in a neighborhood in the west side of Monroe off of Waxhaw Highway.

Police said officers were called for the fight around 6:30 p.m. Saturday and found the 12-year-old who had been shot. Officers then found out that before they got there, a 15-year-old had been shot who was taken to a hospital.

Both of the victims had life-threatening injuries, police said. The 12-year-old, Messiah Barrino, died, police said Monday afternoon. The older teen is expected to recover.

Monroe police said the fight was not gang-related but was pre-arranged between two groups that had an ongoing feud.

The 17-year-old was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and discharging a firearm into occupied property. He will appear in front of a magistrate for his conditions of release and then be taken to a secure juvenile facility, police said.

“It’s kind of scary, actually,” said neighbor Delia Little on Sunday. (I have) never lived in a place that had bullets flying where I had to be worried about that.”

She lives next door to where the shooting happened and discovered bullet holes outside her house.

She told her mom to hit the floor when the gunfire erupted.

“I’m friendly enough with neighbors,” she said. “I am concerned. I know their son was unfortunately shot.”

Little said she had people over for Thanksgiving last week.

“Any one of us could’ve been standing and gotten shot,” Little said.

Another neighbor said there were two rounds of gunfire.

“I heard shots fired off, about three to four at first, really fast, then it went quiet,” said Aniyah Tate, a neighbor. “Then about five minutes later, maybe a little less, some more shots went off.”

The Monroe Police Department says they’re still investigating the shooting.

(VIDEO: Parents upset after Belmont Abbey basketball players ‘misidentified’ as suspects in assault)

Parents upset after Belmont Abbey basketball players ‘misidentified’ as suspects in assault

©2024 Cox Media Group