SALISBURY, N.C. — An assault rifle was used in the death of a 7-year-old girl in 2016 as she slept inside a home, the Salisbury Police Department said Monday.
Aโyanna Allen was shot and killed Dec. 4, 2016, as she slept in a bedroom she shared with her grandmother at the home in Salisbury, authorities said.
The semi-automatic rifle was seized in June 2019 after Rowan County sheriffโs deputies served a search warrant at an address in Gold Hill, a news outlet reported. It sat in an evidence room before investigators were able to confirm it was the same weapon used in Allenโs murder, the newspaper reported.
Aโyanna died after gunfire riddled a home at around 4 a.m., just hours after a man was shot at a now-closed restaurant. Police say the two shootings are connected, but the only arrest made so far involves a woman charged with obstruction.
Salisbury police spokesman Lt. Justin Crews said shell casings from a March test fire of the rifle matched ones at the scene of the crime. Maj. John Sifford of the Rowan County Sheriffโs Office said narcotics investigations revealed the rifle may have been used in the Salisbury shooting and they gave that information to police.
I have limited information regarding a Monroe Police Officer who was struck this morning around 8 a.m. directing traffic in front of the Apprentice Academy High School at 2505 Weddington Road.
Officer is currently being treated at Atrium Main with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident is currently being investigated and upon the completion a determination of charges will be made.
More information about the officer and what caused the accident will be released after the investigation.
