Tragic Loss: 14-Year-Old Garinger High School Student Johnnie McClendon Fatally Shot and Killed

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Three young lives were tragically altered on Sunday evening when 14-year-old Johnnie McClendon, a student at Garinger High School, was fatally shot. The heartbreaking incident occurred inside a Keswick Avenue home, where Johnnie resided with his grandmother, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The authorities have not disclosed further details about the incident.

The loss of Johnnie McClendon has left his family devastated and grappling with overwhelming emotions. Janysia McClendon, his sister, expressed her grief, stating, “I lost my brother, but I’m OK. I can still feel him here. I still feel him right here with me.” Johnnie’s cousin, Jaquan McClendon, lamented the untimely end to his young relative’s life, emphasizing that at only 14 years old, Johnnie will miss out on significant milestones such as attending prom, experiencing first love and heartbreak, and exploring the world through travel.

The family revealed that the 19-year-old charged in connection with Johnnie McClendon’s death was a close friend of his. It was alleged that the suspect had been exhibiting a gun while visiting on Sunday night. Tragically, he believed the firearm was malfunctioning, but it discharged unexpectedly, resulting in the loss of Johnnie’s life. The suspect, identified as Myhijee Major, turned himself in to the police on Tuesday.

Janysia McClendon expressed a mix of anger and understanding, acknowledging that the incident was an accident. She stressed, “I’m angry, but I know that it was an accident. But I lost my brother at the end of the day, so I’ve got so many emotions.” Major has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, and the victim’s family hopes that their immense grief will serve as a wake-up call to others their age.

In the wake of this devastating tragedy, the McClendon family is pleading with young people to understand the dangers associated with firearms. Janysia urged, “Nobody my age. Nobody my brother’s age. Nobody young at all should even be able to touch a gun. Be able to buy a gun. If you see a gun, tell somebody. Get an adult. Do what you got to do, but don’t touch it.”

The loss of Johnnie McClendon has left a void in the hearts of his family and community. As they mourn the untimely end of a bright young life, they hope that their story will serve as a poignant reminder of the need for gun safety and vigilance among young people..