CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Myers Park High School student was killed in a northwest Charlotte shooting Sunday morning. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified the victim as 17-year-old Avyon Titus Thomas.
A family friend tells WCNC Charlotte this is the second child Avyon Thomas' mom has lost to gun violence.
The shooting happened on the 2700 block of West Trade Street. CMPD said its officers responded to the assault with a deadly weapon call around 4:53 a.m. According to CMPD, the shooting happened during a party or some type of gathering at the location.
The teen was confirmed dead at the scene by Medic.
Police identified the suspect as Jamir Easter, 18, who turned himself in at the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown the same day. Easter was interviewed by homicide detectives before being arrested. Easter was charged with involuntary manslaughter. He was released on bond Sunday night and had his first court appearance Monday.
Just before his appearance, Easter broke into tears among his loved ones outside the courtroom, saying "I'm sorry," again and again, as he wept.
While few details have been shared by police, Criminal Defense Attorney Mark Jetton, who's not connected to the case, said the suspect's involuntary manslaughter charge may shed some light on what happened.
“If it’s involuntary," Jetton said, "...you would think that this would be more of an unintentional-type discharge that killed another teen. You wouldn’t see this as an intentional shooting.”
CMPD said the investigation is still active and ongoing.
Myers Park High School posted on social media, mourning Thomas' death. School officials said Thomas was "a loyal friend to his peers and a caring and loving child," calling the shooting a "tragedy." The school will be providing counselors to meet with students who need support for this incident.
For those grieving, Jackie Greco, a clinical mental health counselor, said it's important to remember, it's okay to not be okay and encourages parents to check in with their kids, if concerned they may be impacted.
"So, going into it with a curious mindset and asking, you know, I know that this thing happened, right? Or I know that you knew this person, and I just wanted to check on you, right?," Greco said.
Easter's next court date is January 29.
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