Tre'Corious Jahieem Bethea, a 15-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 13, 2021, in High Point, North Carolina. Tre'Corious, affectionately known as Tre, was born on May 19, 2006, to Michon N. Pegues and the late LaTroy R. Bethea. On the fateful day, around 2:15 a.m., authorities received calls reporting approximately 25 shots fired in the 511 area of Radford Street. Upon arrival, officers found Tre'Corious with two gunshot wounds to the chest and one to the arm. He was immediately taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that Davonte T. Strickland, a 25-year-old male from High Point, was responsible for the shooting. Strickland, who had a history of legal troubles, including evading arrest and hit-and-run incidents, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the police, Strickland fired the shots after seeing individuals tampering with a vehicle on his property. The incident resulted in the arrest of three other juveniles, who were suspected of attempting to break into vehicles in the area.
The case raised questions about the justification of Strickland's actions, as authorities debated whether he genuinely feared for his life when he used his firearm. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tre'Corious's death and the events leading up to it continued, with law enforcement seeking cooperation from the involved parties. The tragic loss of Tre'Corious Jahieem Bethea left a lasting impact on his family and the community, as they mourned the untimely death of a young life cut short.
