Authorities in Pennsylvania this week arrested a man who North Carolina authorities said is tied to a shooting years earlier that killed the son of a towing company owner in Lizard Lick.

On Wednesday, Kievon Nicholson was arrested in Philadelphia in connection to a 2022 shooting that killed Alex Shirley and left Sophie Hagy paralyzed. Prior to Nicholson's arrest, four people had been charged in connection to the shooting. 

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Alex was sitting in the backseat of the car's driver's side on Feb. 17, 2022, when gang members approached the car and fired 20 shots, killing Alex and striking Hagy, who was sitting next to Alex, according to a statement from the clerk of courts.

Alex Shirley was the son of Kristi Lee and Ronnie Shirley, one of the owners of "Lizard Lick Towing" near Wendell. The family starred in a reality TV show based on their business from 2011 to 2014 on truTV.

"We've known about this other guy (Nicholson) since the start of it all, they just needed to get enough evidence to catch him," said Kristi Lee, Alex's mother. 

“It’s just really impressive seeing the amount of time and effort that the sheriff's office in Johnston County has put into this case," Ronnie Shirley said. 

In December, 18-year-old Nathan Jackson was sentenced to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder in connection to the shooting. Because Jackson was 16 at the time of the crime, he must serve 40 years before he's eligible for parole.

While the family of Sophie Hagy told WRAL News they are happy to see justice being served over three years later, they say they still live with the impacts of the 2022 shooting. 

“Ever since the day that she got shot, she’s been pretty much in pain everyday," said Jeanne Hagy, Sophie's Mother. "This year just in 2025 she’s been hospitalized for three months.”

Hagy survived, but two gunshot wounds to the back left her paralyzed from the waist down.

“We’re going to try to help her get through it and some days she doesn’t wanna get through it," said Jeff Hagy, Sophie's dad. 

The Hagy family told WRAL News all of their lives have been forever changed by the shooting. To help with the constant medical care required for Sophie Hagy, the family started a GoFundMe. Click here for more information. 

Nicholson is currently in custody in Philadelphia, awaiting extradition back to North Carolina. WRAL News will follow his court appearance.