On December 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 a.m., Salisbury Police responded to reports of a shooting near the 1800 block of West 3rd Street in Salisbury, North Carolina. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle that had veered off the road into a cluster of trees and brush. Inside, they found 20-year-old Shamarion Nyjeic Hooker and 21-year-old Skylar Mackey, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly identified a male suspect who had fled the scene on foot. By December 5, authorities apprehended a juvenile male in connection with the double homicide. Due to his age, the suspect's identity has not been disclosed. He faces charges including two counts of murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Following his arrest, the juvenile was transported to a secure detention facility.
The Salisbury Police Department, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the incident. They have urged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation.
In the wake of this tragedy, the community has been left in mourning. Shamarion Hooker, born on January 1, 2004, in Rowan County, was remembered by family and friends during a viewing held on December 16, followed by a burial at Byers Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Tracy Hooker and Gregory Seymour, as well as his sisters and extended family.
The loss of these two young lives has prompted discussions within the Salisbury community about youth violence and the importance of addressing underlying issues to prevent such tragedies in the future. Local authorities continue to encourage community members to provide any information that could assist in bringing clarity and justice to this case.
