Gregory Jayvone McKinnies, a 16-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on October 23, 2013, in Tabor City, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the Green Acres Community home he shared with his family. Gregory was involved in a fatal exchange of gunfire with his stepfather, James Bernard Soles, aged 40. The altercation began when Gregory pulled a handgun and shot Soles once in the chest.
In response, Soles picked up an assault rifle and returned fire, hitting Gregory multiple times in the chest. Both Gregory and Soles were transported to McLeod Loris hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
The investigation into the incident revealed that Gregory's mother, Necolyia Bell, and two of his brothers were present in the home at the time of the shooting but were not involved in the altercation. The Columbus County Sheriff's Office conducted autopsies for both Gregory and Soles to determine the exact cause of death. The authorities received conflicting accounts of the argument that led to the deadly exchange of gunfire.
In the months leading up to the incident, Soles and Bell had been charged with possession with intent to sell cocaine and marijuana from their home. However, Gregory did not have a criminal record. The tragic event left the community in shock and mourning, as they grappled with the loss of a young life and the circumstances surrounding his death.
