Iyania Rhone, an 18-year-old African American female from Erwin, NC, tragically lost her life on March 23, 2020. She was a senior at Harnett Central High School and was set to graduate in June. Iyania was asleep in her home on Bunnlevel-Erwin Road when she was struck by a bullet during a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred just after midnight, and she was shot once in the pelvic area.
Despite being rushed to Cape Fear Valley Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
The Harnett County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shooting. Initially, Baron Lee Lyons Jr., a 27-year-old male from Apex, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and ten counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling. Shortly after, an 18-year-old male named Jaylan Kashon Jackson from Angier was also apprehended. He faced similar charges, including first-degree murder, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and ten counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling.
Further developments in the case led to the arrest of two women from South Carolina. Carla Jaynette Williams, 23, and Jakima Velonne Jackson, 19, were charged with felony conspiracy, felony accessory after the fact, and misdemeanor accessory after the fact. Jakima Jackson also faced a charge of felony insurance fraud. Both women were held in the Harnett County Detention Center under secured bonds.
The investigation into Iyania Rhone's death revealed a complex web of conspiracies and criminal activities. The arrests and charges brought against the suspects highlighted the severity of the crime and the determination of law enforcement to bring justice to Iyania and her family. The community of Erwin, NC, mourned the loss of a young life taken too soon and rallied together to support her grieving family and friends.
