SALISBURY — Police have charged a 21-year old man with the shooting death of a teenager in February.

According to Major Justin Crews of the Salisbury Police Department, on Feb. 20, dispatch received a call reporting shots had been fired in the 1400 block of Tilan Street.

When investigators arrived, they found Emmanuel Houston Jr., 18, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders tried to save Houston, but he died from his injuries.

Shakier Dawkwon Verdell, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder following an investigation by Salisbury police, with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). Investigators were able to obtain enough evidence to show probable cause for the arrest warrant.

Verdell was served with the warrant by the Lexington Police Department and placed in the Davidson County Detention Center under no bond.

Anyone with information, contact Lt. Casper at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.  

“Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Houston family,” said Crews.