Kenly Woman Formally Charged In Fatal Shooting; Grand Jury Also Indicts Father On Drug Counts

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Johnston County grand jury has returned indictments against two people following a deadly shooting in Kenly that claimed the life of a 19-year-old man and led investigators to discover illegal drugs inside the residence.

The indictments were handed down Monday, June 15 in Johnston County Superior Court.

Tamiko T. Shearin, 54, was indicted on charges of voluntary manslaughter, felony possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, and misdemeanor simple possession of a controlled substance.

Tony Curtis Stephens Jr., 42, was indicted on felony possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, and misdemeanor simple possession of a controlled substance.

The charges stem from a shooting reported around 10 p.m. on May 27 at a residence on West Fourth Street in Kenly.

According to the Kenly Police Department, Shearin was in a dating relationship with Stephens Jr. Investigators said an argument erupted between Shearin and Stephens Jr.’s son, Tony Curtis Stephens III, 19, during the incident.

Police allege Shearin fired a handgun during the confrontation, striking Stephens III in the upper abdomen.

Stephens III was transported to WakeMed for emergency treatment. He later died from his injuries.

During the investigation, Kenly Police obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence where the shooting occurred.

Court records indicate officers seized approximately eight grams of suspected cocaine from the home. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted Kenly Police with the investigation.