Family mourns boy killed in shooting

NORWOOD, N.C. -- A man was arrested for having a gun at the church fundraiser where a 9-year-old boy was shot and killed this weekend.

Jamorie Hall was shot late Saturday at the annual Cottonville AME Zion Church fundraiser in Stanly County. About 1,500 people were in attendance when a fight broke out. Hall was hit by the gunfire.

Cadaron Tyson, 20, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities don’t think Tyson is the one who fired the gun. They’re still searching for three other suspects.

The family of the 9-year-old boy is speaking out about their loss, while the search continues for those responsible.

They’ve all come together: cousins, grandparents, and members of their congregation. The thought that keeps them up at night is, "why?"

Why did people bring guns to a church event and why did they fire in the direction of innocent children?

"I lost my grandson," said Rose Hall. She was with her grandson Jamorie Hall at the Cottonville AME Zion church fundraiser late Saturday night when she heard gun shots.

Jamorie Hall

Hall remembers hearing her daughter yell to Jamorie, "Come on, come on they’re shooting this way. She started pulling him away and he just collapsed right there."

She says Jamorie’s mother tried to pull him to safety when she realized a stray bullet had struck his head.

"She looked down and saw there was blood coming from the side of his face," Rose Hall said.

Jamorie was rushed to the CMC where he later died.

Hall says Jamorie’s mother wishes she were ready to speak publicly but she’s still too shaken.

"We all miss him so much, he was so sweet," Rose Hall said.

Now his family can’t stop thinking about the child they’ve lost.

"He was a special boy, he always kept God on his mind," said Hall.

Jamorie’s pastor, Drake Abraham recalls, "He liked to preach and he liked to be around pastors."

And they’re looking for the people they say treated the lives of innocent children so carelessly.

"I think the people that did the shooting should be held accountable for that," Abraham said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stanly County Sheriff's Department at 704-986-3700.