Skyteria Eva Nyasia Poston, a 16-year-old African American girl, tragically lost her life on November 9, 2021, in Shelby, North Carolina. Skyteria, affectionately known as "Eva," was sitting in a car in front of her home on Roberts Street when she was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 4 p.m., and her mother and two sisters were inside the house at the time. Upon hearing the gunfire, they hit the floor and one of them called 911.
Skyteria's sisters opened the front door to find her collapsing on the porch, where she took her last breath. She was then taken to Atrium Health-Cleveland, where she was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Skyteria's death quickly identified a suspect, 20-year-old Santana Almont Eaves Jr., also from Shelby. Eaves is described as a Black male with brown eyes and black hair, approximately 5-foot-6-inches tall, and weighing around 130 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous. Witnesses to the shooting have been cooperative with the police, providing valuable information that led to the issuance of warrants for Eaves' arrest the following morning. He faces charges of first-degree murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, Eaves remains at large. The U.S. Marshal’s Service has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Authorities believe that Eaves may be receiving assistance from friends and family in other areas, which is hindering their efforts to apprehend him. Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford has emphasized that anyone found harboring or assisting Eaves will face charges themselves.
Skyteria's death marked the second instance of a teenager being killed by gun violence in Shelby in 2021. The community has been deeply affected by this tragedy, and efforts to bring justice for Skyteria continue. The search for Santana Almont Eaves Jr. remains ongoing, with law enforcement agencies urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
