Harley Alexander Shirley, a 21-year-old White male from Clayton, North Carolina, was the son of Ronnie and Amy Shirley, who starred in the reality television series “Lizard Lick Towing.” His father confirmed his death in a social media post, writing, "He’s at peace now... we will always cherish the times we had while you were with us, son." The family held a memorial service for Harley at the McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton.
On the evening of February 17, 2022, Harley attended a
memorial balloon release in Garner for a friend, Xavier Smith, who had recently died in a car crash. At around 8 p.m., during the gathering in the front yard of a home on Josephine Road, someone opened fire. Witnesses reported that several men then jumped into a car and fled the scene. A few minutes later, deputies responded to a call about gunshot victims in the parking lot of a Sheetz convenience store on Cornwallis Road, about three miles away. Investigators determined the two calls were related. Harley Shirley was found at the Sheetz and was pronounced dead.
A second victim, 20-year-old Sophie Hagy, was also shot. She survived but was left paralyzed from her injuries. In the days following the shooting, Harley’s uncle, Jason Shirley, offered a $25,000 reward for information about his nephew’s death. The Shirley family also created a GoFundMe page to establish a scholarship in Harley’s name to provide financial assistance to those struggling with substance abuse.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigation led to several arrests. A 17-year-old from Willow Springs was taken into custody on February 19, and a 16-year-old from Garner was arrested three days later. Both teenagers were charged with murder and attempted murder. Their names were not publicly released because they were minors.
Two women were also arrested in connection with the case. Cassidy Lorene Hunter, 21, of Smithfield, was charged with accessory after the fact and held at the Johnston County Jail under a $1 million bond. Diana Sarah Jackson, a 38-year-old from Garner, was charged with obstructing justice and held under a $100,000 secured bond.
By March 2022, authorities announced they were seeking a fifth person, 19-year-old Ferrell Nicolas Jackson, who was wanted for obstructing justice. His last known address was on Clinton Drive in Garner. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff's Office at 919-989-5010.
