On June 28, 9-year-old Ah’myiahh Howell was shot while playing outside with her cousin along Newbern Avenue around 7 p.m. Statesville Police say the apparent drive-by shooting sent both Ah’myiahh and her 7-year-old cousin to the hospital, but Ah’myyiahh sadly died of her injuries. Her cousin was on the road to recovery after surgery.

Police have not named a suspect but did say witnesses reported seeing a white Mercedes-Benz drive southbound when shots were fired from inside the car. That was just the first drive-by shooting that night; a second one just down the avenue unfolded as police processed the first scene. A 10-year-old boy there was shot but expected to make a full recovery. Statesville PD said a white Honda Accord was spotted at the second scene.