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CLEVELAND – The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office has identified two of three suspects wanted for a weekend drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 15 year-old and wounded another.
At 1:39am Saturday, deputies responded to 103 Blackthorne Court, just off Cleveland Road, in the Cleveland community. Officers found 15 year-old Kaylen Marion Middleton of Clayton dead at the scene from a gunshot wound. 20 year-old Desmond Tyrese Barnes of Clayton had been shot in the foot. Barnes was taken to Johnston Medical Center in Clayton where he was treated and later released.
The three suspects in this case, who were described as African American males, fled the scene on a vehicle after the shooting. Initially it was believed the three males were in a beige Chevy Tahoe. However, the sheriff’s office announced Monday the suspects were not on that particular vehicle.
One of the shooting suspects, 18 year-old Joshua Caleb Draughon of Avery Street, Garner was taken into custody Monday morning when he showed up at the Wake County Courthouse for an unrelated case. He was transported to Johnston County and formally charged this afternoon with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
Warrants have been obtained for 19 year-old Quashaad Powell, who is known to frequent the Garner and Angier areas. Once located, Powell will also be charged with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
The search for the third suspect still continues.
Middleton was a student at Cleveland High School.
Officials said Middleton and Barnes were outside a residence on Blackthorne Court when the drive-by shooting occurred. Several homes and cars were also struck by the gunfire but no other injuries were reported. The motive still remains under investigation.
Anyone with information about the fatal shooting, including information on the third suspect, is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5010. Callers may remain anonymous.
Scene photos by John Payne
