Mother says man she believes murdered her son still active on social media

Jaylen Rout has been on the run for murder. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has not located him, but a grieving mother found Rout posting on social media.

Rita Ballard has accused Rout of murdering her son, 17-year-old Anthony Adams.

Ballard said her son was shot and killed right in her front yard.

Cumberland County Sheriff's detectives informed Ballard that they believe Rout is responsible for her son's death.

"I want justice for my son; I want peace of mind," Ballard said. "I want to be able to live for the children and grandchildren I have now. This is not living."

“You reach out to people; they are like get over it. How do you get over it when your son dies right in front of you?"

She doesn't understand how Rout has managed to evade police despite being active on social media.

The shooting happened after 9 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2021, one day after the Capitol riots that dominated both national and local headlines. This may have contributed to the lack of coverage regarding her son's murder.

Detectives named Rout as a suspect for the murder of another juvenile that was also killed on Jan. 7, 2021, in Fayetteville.

Despite the announcement, there were no leads. But then, Ballard started to see Rout pop on social media posts and Facebook live videos.

Ballard expressed disappointment over the lack of attention given to her son's case. She turned over the information to the sheriff's office, but no arrest has been made.

"It's been two and a half years and this kid is living his normal life," Ballard said. "He's putting on social media his life. If everyone else can see it, why cant our local police department pick him up?"

Authorities with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said the case has not gone cold and told WRAL News they are using all means to locate Rout and have not received any tips on Rout's location.

While Ballard waits for justice, she is nervous for her kids to go outside and said she feels like a prisoner in her own home. Despite that, she said she won’t give up her pursuit of justice.

Anyone with information about the murder of Anthony Adams or the whereabouts of Jaylen Rout is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500. You can submit information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477.