On December 7, 2024, 12-year-old Messiah Barrino was shot during a large street fight on Skywatch Lane in Monroe, North Carolina. Officers who responded around 6:30 p.m. found Messiah with a gunshot wound; he was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital and later died. A 15-year-old was also shot and remains hospitalized but is expected to recover.

Messiah was a Monroe Middle School student noted for his bright smile and strong academics—making the all-A honor roll and twice being named Student of the Month by teachers. Messiah’s mother, Danielle Blount, said he was an innocent bystander watching a fight between two girls when a stray bullet struck him.

Police arrested a 17-year-old male and charged him as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and discharging a firearm into occupied property; his identity has not been released because of his age. The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information is asked to contact the Monroe Police Department at 704-282-4700.

Did anyone in the community know Messiah or witness the incident who can share details?