On October 17, 2024, at approximately 12:48 a.m., Greensboro Police, Fire, and Guilford County EMS responded to reports of a shooting in the 1600 block of Van Wert Street in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 23-year-old Shango Adams lying in a driveway with a gunshot wound. Tragically, Adams was pronounced dead at the scene, marking Greensboro's 34th homicide of the year.
In the days following the incident, Adams' family expressed profound grief and a desperate plea for justice. His sister, Aliyah Adams, recounted the devastating moment she learned of her brother's death, describing it as a feeling of being unable to breathe or walk, only able to scream. She emphasized Shango's zest for life, his love for family gatherings, and his enjoyment of home-cooked meals. Their father, Carlton Adams, traveled from New Jersey upon hearing the news and urged the community to end gun violence, highlighting the senselessness of such acts leading to death or imprisonment.
The investigation led to significant developments in December 2024. On December 9, authorities arrested 26-year-old Terrell Anthony McQueen of Winston-Salem. McQueen was charged with first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was apprehended with assistance from the Winston-Salem Police Department and is being held in the Guilford County jail without bond. Subsequently, on December 13, 25-year-old Southern Lee Hart of Germanton was arrested in Greensboro. Hart faces charges of accessory after the fact to murder and is being held on a $25,000 secured bond.
The arrests provided a measure of relief to Adams' grieving family, who had been seeking answers and justice since the tragic event. The community's response, including support for the family's memorial efforts, underscored the collective mourning and the urgent call to address gun violence in the area. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated by his sister, Aliyah, to cover funeral expenses, reflecting the family's unpreparedness for such an unexpected loss and their desire to honor Shango's memory appropriately.
As the legal process unfolds, the Adams family and the Greensboro community remain hopeful that justice will be served, and that Shango's untimely death will serve as a catalyst for positive change in combating violence.
