Salisbury mother calls for stricter gun laws as she waits for her son’s killer to be identified

SALISBURY, N.C. — A local mom is begging for answers after her 14-year-old son was shot to death. Nicole Beckham worries her son’s case has stalled because it has been nearly five months and there have been no arrests made. WCCB Charlotte’s Zane Cina met with Beckham, who wants answers and a big change.

Beckham says she recently celebrated what would have been her son, Brion Grier’s 15th birthday. The emotions of Grier’s death have not left her for even a moment. Beckham recounted the day her son was targeted in a drive-by-shooting on North Ellis Street late September.

“For him not to be able to make it to see 15, it’s real hard,” Beckham said. She described her son as “just a kid,” who loved football, video games, time with friends, and most of all his family.

Almost five months after Grier’s death and no suspects have been named. Beckham says she is frustrated. She speaks with an investigator several times a week, but now worries the case may have stalled. “I speak to the detective,” Beckham said “at least every other day to see if I can get some updates, but it still seems like it’s stuck.” Salisbury Police have not yet responded to an email asking for any updates in the investigation.

Beckham says she is tired of waiting. She started a petition on Change.org calling for stricter gun control laws in North Carolina. Her petition has garnered 469 signatures, and she is hopeful for more. Beckham says she wants it to be harder for minors to get their hands on any firearms. She also wants parents to be made prone to punishment if their child is caught with a firearm or found to have used a firearm in any crime. Beckham is determined to be heard and she continues contact state lawmakers, despite not getting a response.

“Let’s fight for our babies because we’re losing them,” Beckham said. Beckham has hope her son’s killer will be caught.