Shooting victim's family meets with DA; more lab results being waited on | News

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Shooting victim's family meets with DA; more lab results being waited on

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 7:10pm

Topics: News

Parents of a teen from Charlotte that was shot and killed at the end 2011 in Columbus County held a press conference in Whiteville Wednesday afternoon.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A family from Charlotte was in Columbus County fighting for an arrest in the death of their daughter Thursday.

At 4 p.m., Jasmine Thar's family met with District Attorney Jon David to reveal the status of the case.

Thar, 16, died from a bullet wound after being shot in a family member's yard in December 2011. She was getting ready for a shopping trip to Myrtle Beach. Two others were injured by the same bullet.

A 23-year-old man who was in the house across the street admits he accidentally fired the gun when he was trying to clean it. He has not been charged.

Following the meeting, it was announced that more lab results are being waited on, and the investigation still underway.

The family's attornet, Willie Gary, said that out of all his years being a lawyer, he knows these kinds of situations take time.

He added that the meeting was "good" and "fruitful."

Thar's parents don't believe Blackwell's story, and Wednesday afternoon, the family held a press conference in Whiteville.

16 family members and supporters went to David's office Thursday with the family.

Earlier in the day, a luncheon was held at Southern Sizzler with Gary and supporters.

Harold Troy, a Whiteville City Council member, and Harold Beatty, the former NAACP President, were also at the luncheon.

Afterwards, they all went to the scene where the shooting happened.

"That's sending out a really negative message out to America," Thar's mother, Claretta McNeil, said. "That we can shoot people and say it's an accident and get away with it and it's okay."

Thar's family says they believe the shooting was racially motivated because investigators reportedly found a Nazi book, a Confederate flag, and other items in Blackwell's bedroom.

At Wednesday's press conference, Thar's family said that Gray, an attorney Forbes Magazine has listed as one of the top 50 attorneys in the country, will be representing them. He is known to take down corporate giants on behalf of his clients. Family members also visited the scene of the shooting, where they had hoped to pray, but they left due to high emotions.

"Since the first day it happened, we were told so many different stories, and we just want to find out what really took place," said Wendell Hardie, Thar's father.

Previously in the week, John Barnett, a civil rights activist and the spokesman for all families involved, had said that the family would plan boycotts and rallies if they didn't feel that justice was served after their meeting with David.

However, Thursday, Gary said, "Well, nobody wants boycotts. Nobody wants protests. I mean, that's not what it's all about. Sometimes, in America, it takes sit-ins...you have to march; you have to do what you have to do. But I feel confident that we're gonna get justice in this case. I feel confident that it's going to be in due time. We're going to have to let the process work. No stones will be left unturned, and no defendants will be allowed to get away."

According to an online petition through SignOn.org, entitled Justice for Jasmine, 70,488 signatures have been given towards supporting an investigation as of Wednesday afternoon.

"It's all about accountability and being accountable for actions," said Treka McMillian, who was grazed by the same bullet that hit Thar. "Whether intentional or not intentional. Still an action."