Thirteen-year-old MyKia Nicole Daniel was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head on April 22, 2024, in a rear bedroom of an apartment on North Hills Drive in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was an eighth-grade student at Ligon Magnet Middle School and had been reported as a runaway at the time of death. A shell casing was recovered in a different room; no firearm was recovered at the scene.

School officials say MyKia had been involved in a physical altercation with a former friend on April 12, 2024, and both students were suspended. Peers reported escalating tensions after that fight. In the early hours of April 22 MyKia’s mother received social media messages indicating her daughter had been shot and contacted police, who located the body.

Sixteen-year-old Zylon Abrams surrendered to authorities shortly after the incident and was arrested; he was charged with first-degree murder and is being tried as an adult. Investigators say Abrams sent a message to MyKia’s sister expressing remorse and that his social media and phone contained material indicating the firearm believed used and a statement that the intent was to scare, not kill. Vigils and balloon releases have been held by family and community members. If anyone knew MyKia or has information that could help, please share what you know.