Juwan Young, a 22-year-old African American male, tragically passed away on November 28, 2016, in Whiteville, North Carolina. The circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of extensive investigation and legal proceedings. On the night of his death, Juwan was involved in a shooting incident that took place at the Happy Mart in Whiteville. According to witness testimonies, Juwan was shot multiple times while sitting in a car parked near the gas pumps.
The shooter, identified as Corey Tashombae Hines, fired several shots from a blue Ford before fleeing the scene. Juwan suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Juwan's death led to the arrest of Corey Tashombae Hines and Taquay Newkirk. Both individuals were apprehended on December 21, 2017, in a mobile home in rural Bladen County. During the trial, evidence presented showed that Hines and Newkirk were involved in a series of violent incidents leading up to Juwan's death. On November 26, 2017, just two weeks before the shooting at the Happy Mart, Hines and Newkirk were involved in another shooting incident at the Saw Mill Apartments in Whiteville. Witnesses testified that Hines fired multiple shots at a BMW belonging to Deron Blanks, who was also present at the Happy Mart on the night of Juwan's death.
The trial of Corey Tashombae Hines began on August 30, 2022, and lasted for 12 days. The prosecution presented a strong case, supported by witness testimonies and surveillance footage from the Happy Mart. Hines was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court also found Taquay Newkirk guilty of accessory to murder and sentenced him to a lengthy prison term. The legal proceedings surrounding Juwan Young's death have brought some measure of justice to his family and the community of Whiteville, but the loss of a young life continues to be deeply felt.
