On July 4, 2023, around 9:51 p.m. in the 1100 block of Main Street in New Bern, North Carolina, 19-month-old NiaLoni Shakira Ariana Sheptock was fatally shot while seated in a car with her father, 22-year-old Nathan Sheptock. Both were taken to CarolinaEast Medical Center; Nathan was treated and released, and NiaLoni was later transferred to ECU Health Medical Center, where she died on July 5.

Local and federal authorities intensified the investigation, with the New Bern Police Department, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Greenville Field Office canvassing the neighborhood and pursuing leads. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Officials have said lack of community cooperation has hampered progress and urged residents to come forward.

No arrests have been announced and the case remains unsolved. If anyone has information about the shooting or was in the Main Street area that night, please contact investigators.