Congregation mourns teen found dead 6 days after being reported missing

CHARLOTTE — Police say a 15-year-old was found shot to death in south Charlotte nearly a week after his family reported him missing.

Detectives said they found the remains of Anthony Smith,15, on Tuesday. Neighbors said they were in a wooded area along Silverleaf Road off Old Pineville Road.

Smith’s family reported him missing on Sept. 4 in Fort Mill, which kicked off an exhaustive search, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

The teen’s remains were found six days later and a medical examiner determined he had been shot. They were positively identified the next day.

Channel 9′s Hunter Sáenz learned Smith was active and loved in his church. His family and his congregation are searching for answers while keeping his memory alive.

“The family is devastated,” said Pastor David Shipman, adding, “Right now, they’re going through an unimaginable situation that no family should ever have to be in.”

Shipman has led the congregation at Reconciling the World Ministries in Charlotte for 22 years. It’s a church Smith attended since he was 4 years old.

“He was a very outgoing, charming young man who everybody just found themselves drawn to,” Shipman said.

Shipman said the teen was active in the church, going to Sunday service, Bible study, and even taking part in the youth choir. It’s why he’s upset and stunned by the tragedy, knowing Smith was supported.

“That’s what makes me mad,” he said. “We should have the power through God with family and faith to be able to protect our kids through anything that the world can get them involved in.”

The 15-year-old is now the third teenager in the congregation to be violently killed. Police haven’t made an arrest.

Though Smith’s body was dumped, he’s not forgotten, and his pastor prays it will wake up the community to act.

“How many young people or your friends have to die before you all start listening to us?” Shipman asked.

Pastor Shipman said he doesn’t have the answer to a solution but he doesn’t want Smith to be another statistic. He wants action to stop kids from being killed in the streets.

Funeral plans are now underway and Smith’s family asks anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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