Hundreds gather to support injured Cape Fear student
Students and parents carried signs and candles as they walked across the campus of Cape Fear High School Wednesday night in support of a 15-year-old student who was shot in the neck on Monday.
Posted — UpdatedCatilyn Abercrombie was standing in the breezeway outside the school’s cafeteria when she was shot, police said.
She underwent surgery Monday night, but her condition worsened Tuesday. She was placed on a ventilator to help her breathe, and at last check, she was listed in critical condition but has been moved from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center to an undisclosed location.
About 200 people participated in Wednesday's walk, which started at the library across from Cape Fear High and continued to the nearby Mac Williams Middle School and back. A prayer circle followed.
A Cape Fear senior said the gathering was a way to let Abercrombie and her family know that "there are people out here praying for her and wanting stuff to get better."
Mat Gosskofp doesn't know Abercrombie, but he graduated from Cape Fear High and has a daughter attending the school. He wanted to show support for the school's administration and Abercrombie's family.
"I hope it makes them feel good that there's so many people out here to support them and are praying for them," he said.
Some students at the vigil said they remain uneasy.
"Walking to lunch is kind of scary because that's where it happened," one person said.
Many students wore pink on Wednesday to honor Abercrombie, and they plan to wear baby blue on Thursday.
Two other Cape Fear High students were arrested Monday night and charged in the shooting.
A 15-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. He was in custody in the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Center. He will face a juvenile court hearing sometime in the next week, but no decision has been made on whether to try him as an adult.
Ta'Von McLaurin, 18, of 1408 Rhone St. in Fayetteville, is charged with felonious aiding and abetting. He made his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon and is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $280,000 secured bond.
Authorities have said that they don't think Abercrombie was the intended target, but investigators haven't yet determined the motive for the shooting.
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