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1 dies, 1 injured in shooting; suspect arrested in Cleveland County

Tylee Smith, 19, is accused of shooting and killing Khi-Rane Littlejohn, 19, south of Boiling Springs on Saturday.

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — An arrest has been made after a man was killed in a shooting on Saturday.

The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office announced that Tylee Smith, 19, was arrested for the shooting death of Khi-Rane Littlejohn, 19.

Investigators say the shooting happened on Saturday, Feb. 4 around 1:30 a.m. on Abes Mountain Road south of Boiling Springs. Deputies were called to the scene and found one victim with a gunshot wound. This victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later released.

Littlejohn was transported to a hospital by a personal vehicle where he later died from gunshot wound injuries.

Investigators learned from witnesses that Smith was inside an SUV that fled the scene after the shooting. They later determined that Smith was the one that shot the two victims as the result of a drug transaction.

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On Tuesday, Smith was arrested at the Cleveland County Courthouse where he was appearing in court on a previous drug charge. 

Smith is charged with murder in this case. However, additional charges are expected. He is currently being held in Cleveland County jail with no bond.

Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots. 

WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.

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