Carlos Mejia Escamilla, an 18-year-old male from Selma, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on January 8, 2018. The incident occurred at 120 Neuse Bend Road, off Grabtown Road, in the Brogden community east of Smithfield. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office reported that Carlos Mejia Escamilla was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound. The authorities arrived at the scene around 12:53 PM and discovered his body in an overgrown yard outside a mobile home.
The investigation led
to the immediate arrest of 19-year-old Tony Lee Hines, who resided at the location where the shooting took place. Hines was charged with the murder of Carlos Mejia Escamilla on the same day. The authorities have not released additional details regarding the motive behind the shooting, as the investigation is ongoing.
Carlos Mejia Escamilla's death marked the first homicide in Johnston County in 2018. The community was left in shock and mourning over the loss of the young man. Funeral services for Carlos were provided by Sanders Funeral Home in Smithfield. The case remains under investigation, and no further information has been disclosed about any potential litigations or additional suspects involved in the incident.
