Ceyonna Asonje Morris, a 20-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on December 17, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Valeview Lane, where Ceyonna, an up-and-coming hair stylist known for her braids, extensions, and weaves, was shot in broad daylight. She was transported to Atrium Hospital with life-threatening injuries but unfortunately succumbed to her wounds at the hospital.
The investigation into Ceyonna's death
revealed that she was shot while being dropped off in a neighborhood. Video footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Ceyonna looking around before being shot. However, the actual shooting was not caught on camera. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched a homicide investigation, and almost a year later, significant developments were made in the case.
On September 29, 2023, Michael Fulwiley, a 21-year-old male, was arrested in Columbia, South Carolina, and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Ceyonna's death. The following day, Saniya Heard, a 20-year-old female, turned herself in and was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact of murder. Despite the charges, prosecutors later dropped the charges against Saniya without a plea deal.
During his trial in 2024, Michael Fulwiley pled guilty to second-degree murder. Judge Karen Eady-Williams sentenced him to 192-243 months in prison. The case remains a poignant reminder of the senseless violence that claimed the life of a young and talented individual, leaving a lasting impact on her family and community.
