Hailey Joyner, an 11-year-old girl from New Bern, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on July 15, 2017. The Craven County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported shooting on the 1000 block of Antioch Road in the Bridgeton area. Upon arrival, officers discovered Hailey Joyner had suffered a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save her, she later succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation led to the arrest of Justin Johnson, a 16-year-old boy from New Bern, who was charged with one
count of murder in connection with Hailey Joyner's death. Johnson was taken into custody and held in the Craven County Jail without bond. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were initially unclear, with some family members believing the incident to be an accident.
Hailey Joyner's mother, Rebecca McNese, who was recovering from addiction, had placed her daughter in the care of someone she knew through social services. Hailey Joyner and Justin Johnson were living in the same home at the time of the incident. McNese expressed her desire for Johnson to face the consequences of his actions, stating that she did not wish death upon him but wanted him to reflect on his actions for the rest of his life.
The case garnered significant attention in the local community, with many mourning the loss of the young girl and seeking justice for her untimely death. The legal proceedings against Justin Johnson continued as the community awaited further developments in the case.
