Police: Teen charged with shooting, killing 18-year-old woman at Mint Hill gas station

MINT HILL, N.C. — A 17-year-old has been charged with shooting and killing a woman at a Mint Hill gas station in April, police said.

According to investigators, the teen was taken into custody on May 31 and charged with first-degree murder. Their identity will not be released due to their age.

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On Aril 14, officers responded to a gas station on Albemarle Road after they said an argument led to a deadly shooting. At the scene, police found the victim, Jayla Symone Barrett, 18, in a car in the parking lot near the gas pumps. The died at the scene.

The 17-year-old has a court hearing set for June 13. No other details have been released.

Family searches for justice after 18-year-old killed at Mint Hill gas station

Lovette Gomez said she was driving on Albemarle Road when she drove by a crime scene at a Mint Hill gas station.

Her heart sank when she saw the car of her 18-year-old niece surrounded by police tape and Mint Hill Police Department detectives.

“Jayla was the clown of the family, always making people laugh,” Gomez said.

Her family and friends remember her fun-loving spirit and her drive for success.

“At that age, to me, she already knew what her purpose in life was,” said family friend Jonathan Thompson.

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Her life was cut short when she was shot and killed at a Shell gas station on the afternoon of April 14.

Thompson said he was like a father figure to Barrett. He’s still trying to grapple with the news.

“This was another senseless killing and I’m trying to figure out why, what is the reason behind it,” he said.

Mint Hill police say an argument led to the shooting.

Officers initially told Channel 9 they took a witness and suspect into custody at the scene, but both have since been released.

Then on May 31, police said they charged a 17-year-old for the homicide.

“It’s hard for a family to try and come to any kind of closure when you don’t have all the information,” Gomez said.

Barrett’s family said they were planning her funeral and memorial service for the end of April. They’ve created a GoFundMe page to support them as they search for justice.

Detectives said they’re conducting interviews and gathering surveillance video, but said the investigation is far from over.

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