On March 23, 2023, 25-year-old Sharelle "Pebbles" Johnson was tragically killed in her Greensboro, North Carolina, apartment. A devoted mother of four-year-old twins, Chassidy and Cassidy, Sharelle was known for her loving and compassionate nature. Originally from Queens, New York, she had moved to Greensboro seeking a better life for her family.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the Claremont Apartment community on Phillips Avenue. Sharelle was sitting on her bed, holding one of her children, when a bullet fired from outside penetrated her apartment, fatally striking her. A 20-year-old man was also injured in the shooting and was hospitalized.
The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Deon Lamar Monk, was reportedly involved in a domestic dispute with his child's mother outside the apartment complex. During the altercation, Monk fired multiple shots, one of which entered Sharelle's apartment, making her an unintended victim. Monk then fled the scene with his 9-month-old son, prompting an Amber Alert. He was later apprehended in Harnett County, and the child was found safe in Siler City.
Monk faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, assault on a female, child endangerment, assault in the presence of a minor, and discharging a firearm in city limits. In a court appearance on September 11, 2023, his request for bond was denied, and he remained in custody awaiting trial.
Sharelle's family, devastated by the senseless act of violence, remembered her as a loving mother who would do anything for her children. Her twin brother, Levelle, expressed the family's grief, emphasizing that Sharelle had no connection to the events that led to her death. The family called for an end to gun violence, highlighting the profound impact it has on innocent lives.
In the wake of her passing, the community rallied to support Sharelle's family. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses and provide for her twin children. The tragedy also spurred local activists to address gun violence, with neighbors organizing grassroots movements to promote safety and prevent further loss of life.
