Raymond Philip "Ray Ray" Kain V, a 17-year-old Caucasian male, tragically passed away on March 9, 2017, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Born on November 30, 1999, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Raymond was a student at Hoggard High School, where he participated in the ROTC program. He was known for his love of motorsports, mud racing, motorcycles, and four-wheelers.
Raymond was a kind and hardworking young man who worked at Pizza Hut in Wilmington and had a deep affection for animals.
The circumstances surrounding Raymond's death were tragic and complex. On the night of March 9, 2017, Raymond was found lying in the roadway on Sebrell Avenue after police responded to a traffic collision involving a cyclist and a car. However, detectives later determined that Raymond's fatal injuries were not the result of a crash but from a gunshot wound.
Tyler Matthew Yee, a 17-year-old Caucasian male and Raymond's best friend, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor in connection with Raymond's death. The prosecution argued that Yee intentionally shot Raymond in the head and left him to die alone in the middle of a dark street. Security footage and audio recordings captured Yee and another boy fleeing the scene shortly after the gunshot.
During the trial, the defense contended that the shooting was accidental and that the boys had been drinking heavily before the incident. Yee's attorney argued that there was no malice or intent to kill, and that Yee and Raymond were best friends who had shared a close bond. Despite these arguments, Yee faced a maximum punishment of life in prison without parole for the first-degree murder charge.
Raymond's death left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the community. His funeral service was held on March 16, 2017, at the Peacock – Newnam & White Funeral Home Chapel, where many gathered to pay their respects and share their memories of Raymond.
