SALISBURY, N.C. — A 3-year-old girl who was seriously injured in a shooting that also killed an 80-year-old man has died, Salisbury Police announced on Wednesday.
Police Chief Patrick Smith said the girl, identified as Myisha Angel, was sleeping in her bunk bed around 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 when the shooter opened fire at a home on Rowan Mill Road near Main Street. Smith said more than 30 shots were fired into the home, killing the girl and her 80-year-old great-grandfather, Charles William.
Angel was taken to Novant Health's hospital in Salisbury shortly after the shooting. She was taken to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem in critical condition where she died. William died at the scene. Smith said there were "many" other people in the house, including children. They were not hurt during the attack.
Smith said detectives found evidence to believe the shooting was not random and that the home was targeted by the shooter(s). He said investigators are currently looking for multiple people in connection with the shooting.
"I don't want to put a number on that," Smith said. "I'll tell you we know who we're looking for and they know that we know who we're looking for."
Smith said the incident began with an argument at another location. He said the argument ended up at the house, which was shot into two days before the deadly attack. No one was hurt in the first incident, according to police.
Investigators also have evidence that connects Kevin Antonio Smith Jr. to the case. Smith was arrested in Charlotte last week after leading Salisbury police on a chase into Charlotte. Chief Patrick Smith said Kevin Smith Jr. was one of the intended targets at the home. Detectives said they aren't certain if Kevin Smith Jr. has any family connection with the victims but he's been associated with the house on Rowan Mill Road.
"We're grieving alongside the family that lost their loved ones," Smith said. "We are resolute in our commitment to bring justice to those responsible.
"This child never got to experience the joys and milestones we take for granted. Her first day of school, making friends and growing up surrounded by love and opportunity. Her future was stolen and that's something that should fill everyone with outrage and sorrow."
Neighbors said they were awoken by gunfire.
"I'm laying in bed, I hear 15 shots. I counted them out," Caleb Mills said. "Then there's a five-second pause, then four more get fired off."
Another neighbor said it "sounded like a war."
"Pretty much wanted to stay on the ground until everything stopped," the person said. "Tried to make sure I didn't get hit."
So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. People can submit videos or other tips anonymously through the Salisbury Police Department's Facebook page.
"If you know who these suspects are and you're not saying anything and you know this act took two innocent victims, if you're not saying something and not coming forward, you're just as guilty as the person that pulled the trigger in my eyes," Smith said.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.