Mirah Turner, 25, of Salisbury, North Carolina, was killed during a home invasion at her North Long Street residence on June 24, 2018. Several suspects arrived at about 2 a.m. and attempted to force their way into the house while Turner and her mother were inside. Turner tried to close the front door and was struck when one of the suspects fired multiple shots into the home; deputies and EMS crews who responded were unable to save her.

Authorities arrested 25-year-old Witt Darnell Alexander Jr. of Salisbury and charged him with first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied property, and assault by pointing a gun. Police said there was no known relationship between Alexander and Turner and they did not believe Turner was specifically targeted. Investigators were also looking into a possible connection with an earlier shooting in the area and working to identify other suspects. Alexander was held in the Rowan County Detention Center without bond and faced the possibility of the death penalty at his first court appearance.

Turner’s family described her as sweet, loving, and caring; her cousin noted the family was grieving especially hard because her brother had been murdered about a month earlier. If anyone has information about the June 24, 2018 home invasion or other people involved, please come forward.