Isaiah Hill, a 6-year-old African American boy from Snow Hill, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on April 10, 2018. Isaiah was a first-grader at Snow Hill Primary School, known for his bright and outgoing personality. He was always smiling and loved to talk about the new movies he watched and the new words he learned. On that fateful day, Isaiah and his grandfather, 68-year-old Johnny Boy Jefferson, were shot by Isaiah's cousin, Myles Jefferson Duggins, in the backyard of their home.
Isaiah was taken to Vidant Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Davis Grove Church Road. Deputies found Johnny Boy Jefferson dead at the scene from gunshot wounds, while Isaiah was critically injured and later died during surgery. The shooting was the result of an argument over a car that turned violent. Myles Jefferson Duggins, 20 years old at the time, lived at the home and fled the scene in a stolen vehicle equipped with OnStar. He was located and taken into custody by Raleigh Police Department a few hours later.
Myles Jefferson Duggins was arrested and charged with the murders of his grandfather and cousin. He confessed to the shootings during questioning and showed no remorse. Duggins did not have a criminal background, and there were no prior calls to the house. He was charged with two open counts of murder and the theft of a motor vehicle. Duggins was held at the Greene County Detention Center under no bond, with his first court appearance scheduled shortly after the incident.
The Greene County Schools community was deeply affected by Isaiah's death. The school system mobilized student services staff from all schools in Greene County to provide support to students and staff at Snow Hill Primary School. The family released a statement expressing their grief and encouraging families to have serious conversations about mental illness, highlighting the complex layers of the tragedy.
