Michael Christian Mills, a 14-year-old African American boy, was tragically shot and killed on January 26, 2022, in Kinston, North Carolina. Michael had just celebrated his 14th birthday on January 4th, a mere three weeks before his untimely death. The incident occurred off Mitchell Street in Kinston, where Michael was with two other teenagers when they were shot at.
The other victims, Aavonta Bethea, 13, and Izaah Foye, 17, were critically injured and taken to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville for treatment.
The Kinston Police Department, along with the United States Marshals Office and Greenville Police Department, arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting. Maleak Smith, a 19-year-old from Kinston, was charged with the murder of Michael Mills and two counts of attempted murder for the shootings of Aavonta Bethea and Izaah Foye. Malik Dyshaun Bryant, a 24-year-old from Kinston, was also charged with an open count of murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Michael's grandmother, Annamarie Carr, has been vocal about her grandson's death, calling for justice and urging the community to come together to combat gun violence. She hopes that Michael's death will spark change within the Kinston community and lead to a safer environment for its residents. The case remains under investigation by the Kinston Police Department.
