Hundreds gather for vigil after 8-year-old girl shot in Fayetteville

Family members and friends are mourning 8-year-old Jenesis Dockery, who was shot Tuesday in Fayetteville and later died from her injuries.

Posted 2:47 a.m. Jul 28 — Updated 3:42 p.m. Jul 28

Aaron Thomas

, WRAL reporter

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Family members and friends are mourning 8-year-old Jenesis Dockery, who was shot Tuesday in Fayetteville and later died from her injuries.

Dockery died Thursday, two days after she was shot at a home on Mercedes Drive in Fayetteville.

A crowd of family, friends and neighbors gathered Thursday night at Vander Walking Track to grieve the young girl's loss.

People of all ages trickled into the vigil, standing and holding each other up as they remembered Dockery. Some brought flowers, balloons, and teddy bears to pay their respects.

8-year-old Jenesis Dockery died from her injuries after being shot in a home on Mercedes Drive on Tuesday.

Investigators have not released any information about the circumstances that led to the shooting, and family members have asked that people respect their privacy during this difficult time. However, an outpouring of support for the family has been seen online.

One person who donated to the family's GoFundMe page described her as "a precious child." Another wrote, "I love that precious baby girl - she always gave me the best hugs."

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the shooting.

So far, more than $13,000 has been raised via GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit Detective S. Odenwelder at 910-677-5477 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

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