15-year-old boy found shot to death
By John Joyce
Published in News on November 25, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Investigators with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office search for clues in the yard of a teenage shooting victim on Tuesday.
A 15-year-old boy is dead and investigators are looking at area gangs to try to find out why, Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce said.
Homicide investigators secured the scene around 300 Rollingwood Drive after a shooting incident late Monday night. They returned and spent most of the day Tuesday combing the leaf-littered yard for shell casings and other evidence.
"We are investigating gangs as a potential motive," Pierce said.
Wayne County EMS responded to the residence after reports of a person injured due to a gunshot, according to a sheriff's office press release. Once on scene, paramedics discovered Deyelle Morrisey deceased and called in the sheriff's office.
"We secured the scene last night, feeling that it would be most beneficial to come back tomorrow during the day light to conduct our investigation," Pierce said.
Investigators do not yet have a clear idea of what happened, which gang or gangs might have been involved or whether it was a "domestic dispute" within one particular gang, Pierce said.
"We just don't have enough information at this time," he said.
What is clear is that the killing was not the result of a failed robbery or some other situation that got out of hand, he said.
"It appears this was an isolated event that this house was the target of," Pierce said.
Morrisey's body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh for autopsy, according to the press release.
Morrisey's mother, Donna Hall, refutes the implication her son was in a gang.
"May baby wasn't in no gang. My baby was in his room, minding his own business," she said.
She said that Morrisey, a freshman at Wayne Academy, was not in any trouble in school or with anyone else. She said that those responsible for killing her son will be brought to justice eventually.
"Whoever did this, all I will say is that you will get caught. It is only a matter of time," Hall said through tears.
"You reap what you sow," she added.
Investigators continue to seek out and interview witnesses or people who might have information regarding what lead to the shooting and killing of the teen.
Anyone with information about the Morrisey homicide is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255 or text tips to 919-222-4230. Callers can remain anonymous and tips leading to a felony arrest are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.