Family has ‘more questions than answers’ in Charlotte teen’s fatal shooting
Grieving family and friends are calling for justice for a 17 year-old killed during a drive-by shooting on May 31.
The incident took place at 1:59 a.m., when Neveah Carter, a Monroe High School student, died after being hit by gunfire discharged from another vehicle passing by, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report.
Police say Neveah’s Kia was in the 4000 block of North Graham Street and Craighead Road when the shooting happened. Another 16-year-old passenger was in the vehicle with her, but was not injured.
A second vehicle, a Subaru, driven by a 27-year-old man, was also caught in crossfire, causing damage to the vehicle, police said. The driver was not hurt.
According to her family, on the day she was killed, Neveah told her parents she was going to “take a friend to the store.” Her mother, Jamie Cureton, did not clarify at what time Neveah left her home. The family believes that Neveah was a bystander in the incident.
“I’m still waiting on her to walk through the door, every single day... I’m still in denial,” Cureton told The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday.
Now a month after her death, as Neveah’s family continues to advocate for an arrest, police say they have leads on the case, but declined to comment whether the incident was gang related.
No arrests have been made.
A bubbly and caring spirit
Growing up in a large family, Neveah’s bubbly and caring spirit stood out throughout her youth.
“Anyone that meets Neveah, loves Neveah” says her mother, Cureton.
Neveah was an active student at school. She enjoyed hanging out with her friends, playing with makeup and doing TikTok dances with her siblings, her mother said.
Carter especially bonded with her family over her love for cooking.
Her creativity shined in the kitchen. Her family chuckled as they recalled some of her dishes she made.
“She loves making baked macaroni,” Cureton said while smiling. “Chicken wings, steak — whatever came to her mind.”
Neveah had plans to learn how to grill with her father during the upcoming weekend. That morning Tyrone Carter, Neveah’s father, received the call informing him of his daughter’s death.
“It rocked my whole world… I know we will be hurt forever with this,” Neveah’s father said.
Cureton wants answers to the discrepancies in her daughter’s case.
The morning of her death, first responders asked the family to come to a nearby hospital when Neveah’s body was present.
Cureton was also notified of her daughter’s death by a family friend before CMPD, Neveah’s mother told the Observer.
“I just have a lot of unanswered questions. I feel like everyone failed her,” Cureton said.
March for justice
Over the July Fourth weekend, Charlotteans gathered from around the city and supported the family on a peaceful march against gun violence.
In partnership with the Mothers Advocating for Real Change and Unwavering Support, the M.A.R.C.U.S foundation helped lead the march beginning at the police station in uptown on East Trade Street.
The organizers hoped to call attention to Neveah’s murder and solicit the public’s support.
Her family remains determined in pursuit of justice. Neveah’s family plans to hold peaceful marches every month until an arrest is made.
“No stone is going to go unturned. This is not a case that will be put on the back end,” Cureton said. “We are going to fight everyday… She was taken from us and somebody needs to pay.”
The family continues to call for support from the community and friends for any information regarding her case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective on the case at 704-336-5048.
