Ah'Miyahh Anyae Marie Howell, an 8-year-old African American girl from Statesville, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on June 28, 2021. Ah'Miyahh was playing in the front yard with her 7-year-old cousin, Tariq Lowery, when gunshots rang out just before 7 p.m. Both children were struck by the bullets, and while Tariq survived, Ah'Miyahh succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The investigation into Ah'Miyahh's death led to the arrest of several suspects.
Nasir Turner, 18, Sayqwon Miller, 19, and Donnell Ellison, 19, along with three 17-year-old juveniles, were charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, felony conspiracy, and discharging a weapon into occupied property causing serious bodily injury. The suspects were identified through forensic evidence collected from two vehicles connected to the crime: a 2003 white Honda Accord and a 2013 white Mercedes C250.
The arrests were made with the assistance of the Statesville Police Department and the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. The suspects were taken into custody, and Ellison, who initially evaded capture, was later apprehended. The investigation revealed that the shooting was a drive-by, and the suspects were involved in a gang-related dispute.
Ah'Miyahh's death sent shockwaves through the community, prompting calls for justice and an end to gun violence. The case remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of such senseless acts on innocent lives.
