John Austin Shoaf was 18 when he was shot and killed on December 24, 2019, near the 3700 block of Eskdale Drive in High Point, North Carolina. He was taken in a private vehicle to High Point Regional Hospital about 12:30 a.m., then airlifted to another hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators say the shooting occurred during a robbery in which more than $350 worth of marijuana was taken from Shoaf and another person at gunpoint.

Nineteen-year-old Deonte Lance Thomas was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of robbery with a firearm in connection with the killing; police documents say he turned himself in on December 25. Shoaf’s mother, Erin Shoaf, described him as a wonderful, hardworking, caring and giving young man and called for an end to the senseless violence.

The High Point Police Department continues to investigate. If anyone has information about what happened near Eskdale Drive on December 24, please contact Crime Stoppers of High Point.