Kha’Mari Harrison was a deeply loved young woman whose family described her as beautiful, respectful, kind, and full of love. She was known to those closest to her as Mari, and relatives said she had so much life ahead of her, with dreams she was eager to pursue and a heart full of compassion.
She was a student at Douglas Byrd High School and had recently joined ROTC, hoping one day to serve her country. She had also just learned she would soon become an aunt for the first time and was excited to meet her nephew.
On the night of Saturday, April 25, Kha’Mari was spending time with a friend at an apartment complex on Fox Ridge Drive in Hope Mills. Around 12:20 a.m., neighbors reported hearing several gunshots ring out. Police arrived to find Kha’Mari suffering from gunshot wounds to her arm and chest. Witnesses said she struggled to remain conscious as people tried to help her.
Emergency responders rushed her to Cape Fear Medical Center, but despite medical efforts, she died from her injuries. Police confirmed that she was one of several people struck during the gunfire, though she was not involved in any conflict. The shooting happened quickly, and investigators have not yet identified a suspect or recovered the weapon.
Neighbors described hearing four or five shots in rapid succession. One witness recalled seeing Kha’Mari faint in and out of consciousness and repeatedly ask for water as she tried to understand what had happened. The scene was later marked by balloons and caution tape as the community began to mourn her loss.
Her family said their hearts are broken by the sudden and devastating loss of a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. They created a fundraiser to help with funeral arrangements and described her as someone whose life was taken far too soon by gun violence. They emphasized that she had so much promise, joy, and love still ahead of her.
Kha’Mari was sixteen years old. Her death has left her family and community grieving a young woman whose kindness, ambition, and bright spirit touched everyone around her. Police continue to investigate and are urging anyone with information to contact the Hope Mills Police Department or CrimeStoppers.