16-year-old boy shot, killed in Erwin

A high school student was shot and killed Tuesday night.

After 10 p.m., officers with the Erwin Police Department responded to the 700 block of West M Street, near a park, where they located 16-year-old Deshawn McNeill, a student at Triton High School.

McNeill had a gunshot wound to his lower torso. The teen was transported to a local hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.

Authorities in Erwin and Harnett County hoped a blue Toyota they stopped Wednesday morning going more than 100 mph would provide a link to the case. However, authorities have since ruled that out.

"Two additional occupants apparently fled on foot a little ways up the road," said Jonathan Johnson, Erwin's police chief. "So there's still an active scene up the road. Whether this is connected to our incident last night, we're still trying to connect the dots and figure it out."

The vehicle will be impounded and the driver will be charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

A homicide investigation is underway as police work to identify the shooter. Investigators do not believe the shooting to be a random act.

"We're going to do everything we can to try to solve this case and seek justice for this family," Johnson said. "It's very unfortunate, and also, just keep the family in your thoughts and prayers."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Erwin Police Department at 910-591-4212.

On Wednesday, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office had extra deputies on duty at Triton High School.

McNeill's mother, Crystal McNeill, said her son loved sports, especially basketball. She said he was that he was shot and killed not far from home, and there was nothing she could do to save him.

"[We're] trying to make it," Crystal McNeill said. "[We're] trying to stay strong for my baby."