Zaki Wallace was a 16-year-old sophomore at Goldsboro High School with a family that loved him. His mother, Dominique Holmes, said he was her “other half” and her “best friend.” Friends and family remembered the male teen for his infectious smile and the joy he brought to their lives. A GoFundMe page was established to help his family with funeral expenses and to bring him back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for burial.
In the early morning hours of Monday, October 5, 2026, Zaki
was at a residence in the 800 block of Olivia Lane in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Around 1:45 a.m., he was shot. According to his mother, Zaki was with his cousin, and they were play-fighting just before the gun went off. Emergency services were called, and Zaki was rushed to UNC Health Wayne hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his gunshot wound.
The Goldsboro Police Department began an investigation into the fatal shooting. During the course of their work, investigators identified 18-year-old Ne'vayah Sharae Smith as the suspect. Police located Smith during a traffic stop and took her into custody without incident. She was charged with second-degree murder and discharging a firearm within city limits. Smith was booked into the Wayne County Detention Center and held without bond.
Zaki’s mother, Dominique Holmes, publicly stated that Smith was Zaki's cousin. In a social media post questioning the incident, she wrote, "I just wanna know why ? What was going thru your head ? Killing your cousin over playing fight ? Was it ever that deep ? !" The Goldsboro Police Department did not immediately confirm the family relationship or release details about what led to the shooting or who owned the gun, stating that the investigation was ongoing.
The day after the shooting, Dominique Holmes organized a gathering on Olivia Lane to celebrate her son's life. Dozens of Zaki's loved ones, friends, and classmates attended the vigil. Holmes addressed the young people present, urging them to value their lives. “Someone carried y'all for 9 months. Poured into y'all, loved y'all, sacrificed for y'all. Y'all got to wanna live," she said. “Y'all got to act like y'all want to live. Y'all got stuff to live for. Y'all are all under 18, and y'all are losing y'all friends."
In the wake of the tragedy, Wayne County Public Schools confirmed that Zaki was a student at Goldsboro High. A spokesperson for the school system stated that extra support and counseling services were made available for students and staff who were grieving his loss and would continue to be available as needed.
As of October 2026, the investigation into Zaki Wallace's death remains open. Ne'vayah Sharae Smith was being held at the Wayne County Detention Center as she awaited further court proceedings. The family had not yet announced funeral arrangements.
