On April 14, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Ahoskie, North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of 46-year-old Derrick Lamont Monger and 17-year-old Jaylen Lamar Carey. The confrontation occurred at Carey's residence on Jernigan Airport Road, where both individuals fatally shot each other during an altercation.
The initial dispute reportedly stemmed from an earlier altercation involving Monger's family member and Carey.
Seeking to address the situation, Monger arrived at Carey's home, leading to a heated argument that escalated into gunfire, claiming both their lives.
In the immediate aftermath, a secondary shooting targeted the same residence. The house was struck multiple times, and 25-year-old Joshua Devonte Tann, a relative of Carey, sustained minor injuries from bullet fragments. He was treated at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and later released.
Law enforcement identified four suspects connected to this retaliatory shooting, all related to Monger. On April 14, authorities arrested Cameron Jaiy’er Lassiter, 21, and Justin Rashad Powell, 20, charging them with two counts each of attempted murder and discharging a weapon into occupied property; both were held under $1 million secured bonds. Additionally, 24-year-old Brandin Deandre Hawkins was charged with accessory after the fact and received a $5,000 secured bond.
Subsequent arrests included Monger's wife, Andreas Monger, on April 19. She faced charges of attempted first-degree murder and discharging a weapon into occupied property, with a secured bond set at $300,000. On May 2, authorities apprehended 29-year-old Rashad Quadre Harmon, charging him with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
This series of violent events has deeply affected the Ahoskie community, prompting calls for reflection on conflict resolution and the prevention of such tragedies in the future.
