Taryn Presley, a 20-year-old African American man from Kannapolis, North Carolina, was shot at Harrisburg Park in Harrisburg on the evening of December 28, 2018. Deputies responding to reports of gunfire near Sims Parkway found Presley and 18-year-old Nicholas Body of Concord with gunshot wounds. Presley was taken to hospital and died there on December 29, 2018; Body was treated and released.

Investigators say the victims and suspects were known to each other. Multiple arrests followed: Nicholas John Carl Brooks, 17, and Jaylen Dashawn Tyson, 19, were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit a felony; Joenel Santiago, 17, was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Later charges named Mason Whitener, 18, and Gabrielle Dabney, 18, on conspiracy to commit a felony and misdemeanor possession of marijuana; both were held under a $250,000 bond. Authorities described the shooting as an isolated incident, but the motive remains unclear.

Anyone who knew Taryn or has information about the shooting is asked to contact the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.