Slaying of cousins on Mother’s Day remains unsolved; family desperate for answers

HICKORY, N.C. — Police are still looking for whoever shot and killed a 16-year-old and his 20-year-old cousin while they were in a car outside a Catawba County convenience store on Mother’s Day.

On Thursday, relatives of the victims gathered around a memorial of flowers and crosses. Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty found out why no one has been arrested, despite surveillance video at the gas station.

Police said they have three to four investigators working the case who have conducted dozens of interviews.

Damarion Sharpe and his cousin Xzavion Watts were in a car at the gas pump at the Save More Convenience Store on 1st Avenue SW in Hickory when they were shot and killed.

Rosie Sharpe said she still can’t believe her 16-year old son is gone. Hours before the murder he had given her a Mother’s Day gift. She didn’t know that would be the last time she’d see him.

“He left and went with his girlfriend and said he would be back, but he never came back,” she said.

Eyewitnesses described hearing a half dozen shots fired outside the store. Damarion Sharpe and Watts were shot in the backseat of the car.

There have been no arrests or mention of a possible motive.

“Why? I don’t know why … for them just to take an innocent life like this is crazy,” said another cousin, Megan Watts. “Why would they do this? These two young boys didn’t deserve this.”

Police believe the shooter ran off after walking up to the car and opening fire. Investigators think the suspect was familiar with the victims and may have targeted them.

Since the murders, Rosie Sharpe has worn a shirt with a picture of her son on it.

“All I know is that smile right there,” she told Channel 9. “He was always smiling. Always happy. I don’t know why, I really don’t.”

The lead investigator on the case told Channel 9 that solving the murders is the top priority for police in Hickory.

Cousins killed after shooter opens fire on car outside Hickory convenience store Cousins killed after shooter opens fire on car outside Hickory convenience store

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