De’Anthony Letrelle Morgan Obituary, Death – A shooting late Sunday night in Hillsborough resulted in the deaths of a 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man, according to local authorities. The victims were identified as Zikera Wardlow, a sophomore from Hillsborough attending Discover Charter School in Durham, and De’Anthony Letrelle Morgan, a man from La Grange, Lenoir County. The tragic incident occurred near Cardinal Drive, close to Interstate 85, and the bodies were discovered inside a vehicle early the next morning, around 6:40 a.m.
The shooting was reported by area residents, with police receiving dispatch calls about gunshots between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday night. Investigators believe that Wardlow and Morgan were shot during that timeframe. At this stage, the exact circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear.
Family members and friends have expressed their shock and grief over the deaths. Zikera’s cousin, Quiana Edwards, shared the last memory of seeing Zikera Sunday night before she left to get food from a local Bojangles. Zikera never returned home, and the family later received the devastating news that two people had been found dead near a building. Edwards described Zikera as a respectful teenager who was always seen with a basketball in hand.
Zikera’s friend, Sophia Hart, fondly remembered their time together, saying they did everything together, from playing basketball to spending time at each other’s homes. Hart described Zikera as her best friend since middle school, someone who always protected her.
Wardlow was also a student at Cedar Ridge High School, where she had played on the girls’ basketball team during her freshman year. In tribute to her, the school announced that the basketball team would observe a moment of silence in her memory before their game on Friday, Jan. 3.
The investigation into the shooting continues, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen anything or has relevant details to contact Inv. Andrew Jones at 919-296-9562. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the See it, Say it, Send it program, available via the website or mobile app. As the community mourns the loss of two young lives, local law enforcement is working diligently to uncover the details behind this tragic event.