1 arrested, charges dropped against 2, in connection with murder of NC boy, police say

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BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — A 7-year-old boy who was shot in Burlington has died, one person faces a murder charge and charges have been dropped against two others due to witnesses lying, according to Burlington police.

Family members identified the 7-year-old as Mason. Investigators say he was hit with a single bullet. He died of his injuries Sunday morning.

Police say he was sitting outside of his apartment when he “was senselessly shot as a bystander.”

Burlington Police Chief Alan Balog released the following statement:

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and everyone affected by this act of violence. We share the heartbreak of this news along with our community.

“As your police department, we are committed to holding those responsible for this crime accountable and the investigation to gather every available fact is ongoing. Our community needs every person who saw what happened to step forward, do what’s right, and contact the police department.

“Our hearts are with the family, and we promise to do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”

Police initially arrested two people on Friday, but officers have since dropped the charges and revealed that the charges were the result of witnesses lying to police.

Due to those false witness reports, Tremaine Armstrong, 18, of Burlington, and Kemontae Crosby, 21, of Graham, are no longer facing murder charges in this case.

On Monday, Burlington police and Alamance County deputies executed two search warrants.

Burlington police developed probable cause to arrest Syquan Jaheem Mason-Rhames, 24, of Burlington, for first-degree murder. 

His bond has not been set. 

“We are seeking information, big or small, concerning this incident. There were over a dozen people present when the shooting occurred and we need to speak to every one of them,” police said in a statement.

At around 7:54 p.m. on Thursday, officers came to the 1300 block of Beaumont Court after getting multiple calls about a disturbance in an apartment complex and a single gunshot.

People at the apartments said they heard an argument and then a loud, single shot. At first, everyone was unsure if anyone was hit.

While en route to the scene, police learned from additional calls to 911 that the victim in a shooting was a child.

At the scene, officers found a 7-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was airlifted to a nearby trauma center.

Witnesses at the scene told investigators the child was not involved in the disturbance that led to the shooting.

His mother Ashley Welcher says he was running around and having fun like any other 7-year-old at the time of the shooting.

“And then got caught up in grown man stuff. Wrong place, wrong time,” Welcher said.

Welcher says Mason was a ball of joy who loved to hang out with his friends, show off his dance moves and play football.

Mason played for a travel team called Air Cavs. On the way to practice Monday night, they signed their initials on ballons formed as the number 50, which was Mason’s number.

Later on Monday, they showed up to a vigil with hundreds of other people and took a knee out of respect for their fallen teammate.

Many of them were 7-year-olds just like Mason.

One teammate that spoke up was Sev’Ann Broughton.

“I hope Jesus takes care of him. He was a good kid, and I love him, and I know he’s looking down at us right now,” Broughton said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500. For anonymous methods, such as to report who was present at the time of the shooting, call Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100 or use the mobile app, P3 Tips. Tips provided through Crimestoppers may be eligible for cash rewards.

“We need everyone’s help to gain the vital information to bring justice to the family of the 7-year-old that was killed in this incident,” police said.

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Justin Lundy

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