CONCORD, N.C. — A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and robbery following a tragic shooting incident this past weekend that left two individuals dead and two others injured in a local apartment complex.
Brandon Morris Jr., a Concord resident, is facing two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery, along with additional charges for discharging a firearm into an occupied property. The incident, which shook the community, took place on a Sunday night in the parking lot of the Brooke Pointe apartments, where all four victims were located in the same vehicle.
According to Concord police, the shooting was spurred by a robbery in which Morris allegedly stole a rifle from one of the victims before opening fire. The victims, identified as Kemouri Blount and another man, were fatally wounded, while two women in the backseat sustained injuries.
The community is reeling from the aftermath of the violence, particularly the family of Kemouri Blount, whose mother, Danielle, has faced unspeakable grief. Community advocate Tina Sykes-Mosley, representing the family, expressed deep sorrow over the recurring tragedies that have plagued them. Tragically, this is not the first time such heartbreak has struck; Danielle Blount lost her younger son to gun violence in December 2024, also in a shooting incident.
“This mother shouldn’t have to bury her child, but to endure such a loss twice is unbearable,” Sykes-Mosley said. She founded a support organization, M.A.R.C.U.S., after the murder of her own son and now finds herself advocating for the Blount family as they navigate this new tragedy. “Her grief is compounded, and she is absolutely devastated.”
The community is coming together to support the grieving family, with Sykes-Mosley indicating that tangible financial assistance will be necessary due to the impending funeral and related expenses. “She needs your prayers, but she also needs help to cover the costs. Right now, she cannot work; how can she function after losing another child?” Sykes-Mosley stated.
As the family prepares to say goodbye to Kemouri, who was expecting a child of his own in June, the community is rallying to provide necessary support. Sykes-Mosley has launched a fundraiser to assist the Blount family during this painful time, appealing to those who wish to contribute.
This recent shooting has reignited discussions around gun violence and community safety, as residents express increasing concern about the frequency of violent incidents. The inevitable questions arise: What can be done to prevent such tragedies in the future?
As the investigation unfolds and the legal process takes its course, the community stands united in mourning and support for the Blount family, hoping for healing amid the overwhelming grief.