Karon Howard, an 18-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on April 8, 2018, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The incident occurred near the intersection of Cliffdale Road and Reilly Road. Howard was found sitting in a vehicle at the intersection around 12:18 a.m. and was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Fayetteville Police Department's Aggravated Assault Unit began investigating the shooting as a homicide, stating that the incident did not appear to be random.
In the aftermath of the shooting, detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department's Homicide Unit arrested Taji M. Elliott, a 16-year-old African American male from Pembroke, North Carolina. Elliott was charged with first-degree murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury. He was arrested on May 1, 2018, and held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. The investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act, and detectives sought the public's assistance in identifying a person and vehicle of interest in connection with the case.
The investigation into Karon Howard's death remained active, with detectives continuing to gather information and seek leads. The Fayetteville Police Department encouraged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and assist in the investigation. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the community and the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such tragedies.
