A tragic incident has left a community in mourning as a 7-year-old boy, identified as Mason Jenkins, died after being shot while sitting outside his apartment in Burlington, North Carolina. The shooting occurred on Thursday evening, September 19th, 2024, when an argument escalated into gunfire.
According to the Burlington Police Department, Mason was not the intended target but rather an innocent bystander struck by a stray bullet. He was airlifted to a nearby trauma centre with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Sadly, Mason succumbed to his injuries early Sunday morning.
Police Arrest Two Suspects in 7-Year-Old Boy’s Shooting Death
In response to the tragic incident, the Burlington Police Department has arrested two suspects
• Tremaine Armstrong, 18, of Burlington, charged with attempted first-degree murder
• Kemontae Crosby, 21, of Graham, charged with being an accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder
Both suspects were taken into custody without incident on Friday.
Community Mourns Loss of 7-Year-Old Boy
The Burlington community has come together to mourn the loss of Mason Jenkins. A vigil was held on Sunday evening to honour the young boy’s life.
Mason’s mother, Ashley Welcher, expressed her grief and desire for justice, stating,
“I just want justice for my baby.”
Burlington Police Chief Alan Balog shared the department’s condolences, saying, “Our deepest sympathies are with the family and everyone is affected by this act of violence.
We share the heartbreak of this news along with our community.” He also emphasised the police’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring justice is served.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and contact the Burlington Police Department. They are particularly interested in speaking with the dozen or more people present at the time of the shooting.
