By Dexter Hinson, Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 — One arrest has been made in the homicide of a 9-year-old boy that occurred at Cottonville AME Zion Church early Sunday morning.
Stanly County Sheriff Rick Burris confirmed Tuesday morning that one arrest had been made and three other suspects were being sought.
Cadaron Aaron Tyson, 20, was arrested Monday for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and is in Stanly County Jail under $5,000 bond.
“We’ve got three other suspects that we’re looking for,” Burris said.
“They’re all Anson County people.”
Stanly County Sheriff’s Office reports that around 12:30 a.m., shots were fired from a .38 caliber gun during an argument at an annual gathering at the church that was once associated with the Colston Family Reunion.
Bullets went into the air while some were leveled off into the crowd, which is reported to have been several hundred people by various sources.
One of the bullets went randomly through the material of a food vendor’s booth as well as some cardboard boxes before it lodged in the head of Jamorie LaMontray Hall of Wadesboro.
He was reportedly lying or crouching down, possibly asleep, when he was struck. This was about 50 to 60 feet away from the shooter. Family members carried him from the tent to meet emergency officials.
Hall was taken to Stanly Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
People of interest and other possible suspects are being interviewed by the Sheriff’s Office. If anyone has information, they can contact Stanly County Crime Stoppers at (704) 982-0711.
Many vendors and peddlers set up booths to offer goods and services at the gathering. The event has been held for decades, with its inception dating back to slavery.
Dexter Hinson can be contacted by email at snaponline21@carolina.rr.com.
