Todd Paris, Staff Writer and Salisbury Attorney
Here are the facts:
On Sunday December 4th 2016, Sharod Raheen Mathis, 22, was the victim of a criminal homicide early that morning. He was shot outside in the parking lot at the Firewater Lounge on 122 S. Avalon Drive, transported by private vehicle to Rowan-Novant where he later expired. The call came in at 1:37 a.m. The shooter or shooters remain at large.
Later in the same Sunday morning, tragically 7 year-old A’Yanna Allen died in a shooting into a home on 200 Harrel Street. The child died at the scene. The child’s grandmother Shirley Robinson, 56, was shot in the leg. According to people in the area, the second shooting was an alleged vengeance shooting for what happened outside the Firewater Lounge. The connection was first reported by RFP and later confirmed by Salisbury City in the common media. The shooter or shooters remain at large.
Later that same Sunday morning, shots were fired into 310 Messner Street in Salisbury’s West End. The shooting was reported later at 3:22 p.m. Monday, and officers arrived soon after, to take a report.
Once again, people in the area are alleging this shooting was in retaliation for the Firewater Lounge murder of Sharod Raheem Mathis and is gang related, yet this is still unconfirmed by police sources.
On Friday, December 9, 2016 Rowan Free Press Issued an Alert for Violence that weekend based upon their sources. At no time did RFP say the City of Salisbury had issued any alert. This move was criticized on the city’s website. However, gun violence did occur during that weekend alert.
On Saturday, December 10, 2016 shots were fired into a residence at 1220 Bell Street, Salisbury NC. The shooting was reported to the Salisbury Police at 1 p.m. and officers responded a short time later. The City has not said whether this shooting is related to any of the previous crimes listed here.
Salisbury: Occupied Home Shot Up Saturday at 1220 Bell Street During Drive-by
On Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 231 West Avenue D, in Salisbury, N.C another residence was fired into. Fortunately, there were no deaths or injuries. The City has not said whether this shooting is related to any of the previous crimes listed here.
Salisbury: Shooting into an Occupied Property Early Sunday Morning at 231 West D Avenue
On Thursday, December 15th a home on 418 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue was a victim of all other shooting into an occupied property. The shooting was reported at 10:30 a.m. A full report is upcoming.
On Monday, December 17, 2016, Albert Brice Shelton, Jr.,37, of the streets of Salisbury, was shot to death in a parking area by 729 Victory Street. The suspect(s) remain at large. The City has said this murder is unrelated to Sharod Raheen Mathis murder at Firewater or the tragic killing of A’Yanna Allen. Whether Shelton’s murder is related to any gang killings is unknown.
It would appear the December 9th 2016 Rowan Free Press alert had merit.
No suspects have been apprehended in any of these murders or shootings. Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
