Keon Tyvelle Harrell, a 29-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on September 5, 2016, in Ahoskie, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in the parking lot of a McDonald's on Memorial Drive. Emergency dispatchers received a call at approximately 2:49 a.m., reporting multiple gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers found Harrell unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other individuals were also injured in the shooting and were initially treated at Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital before being transported to another medical facility. Their conditions were not immediately clear. The Ahoskie Police Department, along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene, collecting evidence and following up on leads.
Keon's father, Bobby Harrell, expressed his grief and frustration over the loss of his son, highlighting the senselessness of the violence. Keon's cousin, LaDonya Gatling, who was near the scene, recounted the harrowing moments when she saw Keon collapse after being shot. Despite efforts to administer CPR, Keon could not be saved. This incident marked the fourth time a cousin of Gatling's had been killed due to gun violence.
The investigation into Keon Tyvelle Harrell's death remains ongoing, with the Ahoskie Police Department urging anyone with information to come forward. The local McDonald's franchise, Tandem Inc., issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to the safety of their employees and customers and their cooperation with the authorities.
