Keenen Deangelo Banner, a 31-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on June 21, 2022, in Gastonia, North Carolina. Born on February 1, 1991, in Newberry, South Carolina, Keenen was the son of Kenneth Banner and the late Deatrice Caldwell Banner. His untimely death has left a void in the lives of his family and friends.
On the night of June 21, 2022, Gastonia Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 800 block of Rankin Avenue.
Upon arrival, they found Keenen Banner outside a home, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation revealed that Keenen had been shot in the upper body, and blood and drag marks were discovered leading from 814 Rankin Avenue to 810 Rankin Avenue.
The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals connected to Keenen's death. Eric Smith, a 48-year-old male from Gastonia, was charged with first-degree murder. Quanesha Renee Douglas, a 24-year-old female from Gastonia, was charged with accessory after the fact of homicide and obstruction of justice. Donald Lamar Johnson, a 44-year-old male from Gastonia, was also charged with accessory after the fact of homicide. It was determined that Keenen and the three defendants were known to each other.
Eric Smith was identified as the individual who shot Keenen Banner. Quanesha Douglas was accused of driving Smith away from the crime scene, while Donald Johnson was alleged to have assisted in moving Keenen's body to a neighbor's home in an attempt to cover up the crime. All three suspects were arrested on July 7, 2022, and transported to the Gaston County Jail. Smith is being held without bond, while Douglas and Johnson have bonds set at $200,000 and $250,000, respectively.
The case has garnered significant attention in the community, as residents grapple with the impact of violent crime. The Highland community, where the incident occurred, has seen a spike in violence, prompting community members to come together and address the issue. The investigation into Keenen Banner's death continues, as authorities work to bring justice to his family and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
