Fayetteville police make arrest in murder of Seventy-First High School student
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Police have charged 19-year-old Devontay Jquan Douglas in the September 27 shooting death of 16-year-old Joseph Braxton.
Detectives took Douglas into custody Tuesday at Ramsey Street High School. Douglas is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Several more arrests are pending.
Braxton, a student at Seventy-First High School, was on his way to a sweet sixteen birthday party when he was gunned down in the 5000 block of Randleman Street around 10:30 p.m.
Tabitha Brown, Braxton's mother, said Douglas was just one of several students with whom her son had altercations in the days leading up to the shooting.
"It's a little [up]lifting to find out they have one of my son's killers," said Brown. "But what I want to speak about is their parents. Where are the parents, you know? How are they allowing their children to perform so much harmful and hateful actions toward people and towards people's children, their young children."
"I mean I want justice to it all, even with the parents. They should be questioned, also."
No one resides in Douglas' last known address. A neighbor said the tenant and her sons moved out several weeks ago.
Since the September shooting, Braxton's family has spoken about knowing exactly who was behind their son's shooting. Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock said detectives knew the suspects, as well, but witness cooperation and building a complex case are factors that held up the arrests.
Braxton was laid to rest in Fayetteville on Saturday. Brown said her son was the youngest of six children. She moved the family from Brooklyn to Fayetteville four years ago. She said she had hopes of a safer, better life for her children.
As more arrests are pending, anyone with information is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 237-9391 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
