FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Fayetteville police say they have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the murder of Maj. David Shannon.

Authorities said the teen was arrested after 1 p.m. Friday at the Sunset Mobile Home Park off Rim Road. The teen was later transferred to the Cumberland County Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Authorities in the case said they were hampered due to the fact that the suspect was 15 years old and by law, his/her name could not be released to the public.

We can't use the tools we usually use to catch that person," said Sgt. Anthony Kelly of the Fayetteville Police Department.

"If the teenager was 16, we could poster their picture all over,'' said Lt. Tom Guilette. "It is a very bad dilemma, and it's not one that comes along very often."

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that uses the cutoff age of 16. Many states use their cutoff age at 18.

If the 15-year-old is tried as an adult, the case could go to Superior Court and then the name would be part of public records.

Shannon, 40, a Special Operations soldier, was shot to death July 23 as he slept in his house.

Police have charged Shannon's wife, Joan, with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Joan Shannon, 35, is being held in the Cumberland County Jail without bail.

Police have said money was the likely motive in the slaying.