On December 20, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at the Fenton shopping center in Cary, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Cory Edward McNeill. Around 8:45 p.m., officers from the Cary Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the Green Parking Deck at Fenton. Upon arrival, they found McNeill inside a vehicle, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Shortly after the officers arrived, 24-year-old Malik Emaje Scott-McClarin contacted the Cary Police Department, identifying himself as the individual responsible for the shooting. He subsequently turned himself in and was taken into custody for questioning. Authorities confirmed that McNeill and Scott-McClarin were acquainted, and preliminary findings suggest that the incident was isolated, posing no ongoing threat to the community.
Scott-McClarin was employed by Sunstates Security, a private security firm contracted to provide unarmed services for the Fenton shopping center. However, both the company and law enforcement officials have stated that the shooting was unrelated to his professional duties. Sunstates Security emphasized that their personnel are unarmed and that the incident did not occur in the context of work-related activities.
During a court appearance, Scott-McClarin's attorney contended that the shooting was accidental, suggesting that the firearm discharged unintentionally. The attorney questioned whether the allegations were consistent with involuntary manslaughter rather than murder. Despite this defense, the judge set Scott-McClarin's bond at $1.5 million, citing the severity of the charges.
Investigations also revealed that both McNeill and Scott-McClarin had prior legal encounters. Court records indicate that on October 22, 2024, both individuals were arrested on the same day in Selma, North Carolina, facing charges related to possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The Cary Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding McNeill's death. They have urged anyone with additional information to come forward, assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat to community safety related to this incident.
