Skyler Pattillo, 20, died on September 26, 2024, after a firearm discharged around 7 p.m. in the 300 block of Campus Cove in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was taken to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later died. Authorities say the weapon was mistakenly believed to be unloaded when it discharged.

Wilmington police arrested 21-year-old Triston Spencer and charged him with involuntary manslaughter, alleging he mishandled the firearm and caused the fatal shot. Spencer was held in the New Hanover County jail under a $150,000 secured bond as the department continued its investigation and urged gun owners to verify firearms are unloaded and secured when handling them.

Skyler was born July 2, 2004, in Wake County to Stephanie and Shane Pattillo of Angier. She was a licensed esthetician who had recently opened a dedicated location for her small business. She is survived by her sister Taia Pattillo, grandparents Ronnie and Sue Pattillo and Kay and Vernon Knight, her dog Queen, and extended family. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to come forward.