ROCKINGHAM — The names of the two teens shot and killed Sunday afternoon have been released in police documents.
According to an incident report from the Rockingham Police Department, De’Marion Latrell Davis, of Hamlet, and Malik Keysean Ellerbe, of Rockingham, both 17, were killed at the 74 Car Wash on East Broad Avenue on Nov. 28.
Police responded to a call of shots being fired at the location at 3:42 p.m., according to the report.
The alleged shooter, 18-year-old Evann Jaqueez Taylor, of Rockingham, was booked into the Richmond County Jail at 1:47 a.m. Monday on two open counts of murder.
According to the report, Taylor shot the victims with an unspecified-caliber rifle.
However, the report shows that police seized two rifles from the scene: a Del-Ton DTI-15; and an unspecified model from Anderson Manufacturing.
Taylor is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday.
Richmond Senior High School Principal Jim Butler posted a statement to the school’s public group page on Facebook Nov. 29:
“The Raider Class of 22 suffered a great tragedy yesterday. Our hearts are broken for these seniors, their families and our student body. We will keep them in our prayers and honor their memory as this school year continues.
This is a time for caring and compassion. Let’s all join together in letting RSHS be a place of healing, friendship and caring. We are all Raiders and we need to support one another.”
Ashleigh Buie also posted in the group about the incident the same day:
“Yesterday, our Raider family lost two of our own. We are devastated by the loss of our students. This tragedy impacts us all and as we mourn this tragedy we want our students to know we are here for them. Counselors will be available Tuesday for students who need to talk. Please help us lift up these families in your thoughts and prayers.”
On Tuesday, rshssenate posted photos of Ellerbe and Davis to Instagram with the following caption:
“Our hearts are broken, but Malik & Demarion will never be forgotten. Their memories will forever remain in our hearts.”
rshssenate Instagram
A massive balloon release in honor of the victims was held Wednesday evening across the street from the scene.
RO staff photo
The RO has not yet been able to confirm if Taylor was a student.
Warrants were still not publicly available as of Wednesday afternoon.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Of the six homicides within the city limits this year classified as murders, four of the victims have been under the age of 18.
