Demarius Montrez Barnes, a 17-year-old African American male from Franklinton, NC, tragically lost his life on September 4, 2017. He was a student at Franklinton High School. The incident occurred at a home on Marlless Drive in Franklin County, where a confrontation between three men escalated into a fatal shooting. Demarius Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim, 28-year-old Montral Kearney, succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
The altercation
that led to the shooting involved individuals who had a history of conflicts. Authorities identified Charles Devante Perry-Pender, a 23-year-old African American male, as a person of interest in the case. Perry-Pender was later charged with one count of murder after turning himself in to the authorities. The argument that sparked the shooting stemmed from a past issue involving all three individuals.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the incident, and additional counselors were made available to students at Franklinton High School to help them cope with the loss. Friends and family members expressed their belief that the fatal shooting could have been avoided and emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
