On February 4, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a shooting occurred on Abes Mountain Road in Mooresboro, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Khi-Rane Devon Littlejohn. Deputies from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, where they found 18-year-old Zaquan Amarion Hollis suffering from two gunshot wounds to the back. Hollis was transported to Atrium Health Care, treated, and subsequently released.
Meanwhile, Littlejohn had been taken by private vehicle to Spartanburg Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the scene reported that an SUV fled immediately after the shooting. Through their investigation, authorities identified 19-year-old Tylee Trequan Smith as a suspect. They determined that Smith had fired at both Littlejohn and Hollis during a drug transaction. On February 7, 2023, Smith was arrested at the Cleveland County Courthouse, where he was attending a hearing for a prior misdemeanor drug charge. He was charged with murder in connection with Littlejohn's death, with additional charges anticipated as the investigation continued. Smith was held in the Cleveland County jail without bond.
Littlejohn, born on December 11, 2003, in Shelby, North Carolina, was remembered as a well-mannered young man who brought strength, love, and laughter to those around him. He was employed at Dole Food Company in Bessemer City and enjoyed activities such as playing video games, hunting, and fishing. As a youth, he was a member of the Shoal Creek Baptist Church youth ministry. He is survived by his mother, Stephanie Littlejohn, his extended mother, Shonda Huskey, several siblings, grandparents, and other family members. No public services were scheduled at the time of his passing.
