WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A grieving Triad mom is trying to come to grips with what happened over the last year that ended with the death of her young son.
Someone shot and killed 19-year-old Sha'nnon Pitts back in February, 2024.
Months before, Pitts was accused of causing a chaotic scene after he fired a gun at Forsyth Tech.
Pitts' mother, Jackie Harrell is understandably heartbroken after losing her son to gun violence.
She wants to tell the world about Sha'nnon Pitts, and let them know that even though he made a mistake at Forsyth Tech, he was still a person who had dreams, and plans for his future.
Harrell said Pitts had been involved in a couple incidents in school, and was moved to Winston-Salem Prep.
Harrell said her son was smart, loving, and cared deeply about his family.
Last March, Sha'nnon Pitts went to Forsyth Tech on a field trip.
Prosecutors said he brought an untraceable gun with him, and it went off in the bathroom, injuring Pitts' hand.
Harrell said the reason he brought the gun was for protection, because Pitts was under the impression that someone was going to hurt him at the field trip.
Harrell said what her son did was wrong, and he took this opportunity to still get his high school diploma.
"After they kicked him out, and all of that I still made sure my son graduated. He graduated from Brittain Academy after they kicked him out. I said no, you were going to do this," Harrell explained.
Winston-Salem police said Pitts died in a shooting in February, 2024.
Harrell said no matter the mistakes her son made, he didn't deserve to die.
"He still didn't deserve to be murdered, and shot multiple times in the street that day," she explained.
Police haven't made any arrests, and say they don't know of a motive.
Harrell said she wants justice, and she wants people to know her son loved basketball, and was planning to go to college.
She said no family should have to deal with a loss like this.