Wakefield High student, basketball player killed at graduation party in Garner

A rising senior at Wakefield High School died in the hospital after being shot at a graduation party in Garner on Friday night.

17-year-old Messiah Pitt was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and did not survive.

Garner police said the shooting happened at a graduation party at the Heather Hills Clubhouse on Claymore Drive. The party was not for or sponsored by a Wakefield student, according to Wakefield principal Malik Bazzell.

Bazzel believes that Pitt was a bystander and was caught in the crossfire of a shooting. No one else was injured or killed in the shooting, police said.

His mother, Latrice Austin, said he was dedicated athlete, and focused his life around playing basketball.

"He liked to live life, he was funny, he helped out with his little sisters always," she said.

Officers have identified two suspects in the case, but no charges have been made in relation to the shooting. Police are still looking for two other possible people involved in the shooting.

"It's frustrating because I don't know why my son got shot," Austin said.

Witnesses said the shooting happened just as the party was winding down.

A friend of Pitt who wished to remain anonymous said "there had been no trouble, just kids having a good time celebrating their high school graduation."

The morning before Pitt died, he played at an exposure basketball event in Winston-Salem.

"Yesterday, before everything happened, he had two games," Austin said. "This morning one thing he was concerned about was getting up at 5 so that he could be at practice."

Herman Spencer, a parent of a teammate of Pitt, said team members were stunned.

"Just yesterday they were playing basketball, laughing and winning and the very next day this tragedy happens," he said.

“This is a horrific tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victim, his family, and friends. Investigators are working diligently to identify and arrest those responsible for this senseless death,” said Garner Police Captain Lorie Smith.

Police are investigating as a homicide. Anyone who has information about the shooting should contact the Garner Crime Tip Line at (919) 890-7318.