New details emerge in deadly shooting at Fenton development in Cary
A week after a deadly shooting at Cary’s Fenton development, search warrants reveal what the alleged shooter says happened.
Malik Emaje Scott-McClarin, 24, is charged with murder in the Dec. 20 death of Cory Edward McNeill, 23, The News & Observer previously reported.
McNeill was found dead inside his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee by police about 8:45 p.m. after a 911 caller reported an unresponsive person in the car’s driver seat, according to a search warrant for the Cherokee.
Scott-McClarin turned himself in to police that night, The N&O reported.
Search warrants for the pair’s vehicles indicate Scott-McClarin told investigators the shooting was an accident.
As police secured the crime scene, Scott-McClarin reportedly contacted Raleigh police to say he’d been involved in the shooting. He returned to the parking lot near PBR Cowboy Bar and met with police, the search warrants state.
Scott-McClarin gave detectives a gun and said he wanted to provide an initial statement. That’s when he told police he “shot Cory as both Malik and Cory were looking at their handguns” while sitting in McNeill’s car, according to the search warrants.
“Malik advised that he accidentally shot Cory when Cory bumped Malik’s handgun,” the search warrants state.
Police found a spent shell casing on the floorboard of the Cherokee, according to the search warrant.
Investigators also recovered marijuana, a handgun and rolling papers from the Cherokee and a cellphone, a spent casing, a handgun and a bag of marijuana from Scott-McClarin’s Lincoln MKZ, the search warrants state.
Court records show Scott-McClarin and McNeill were cited Oct. 21 in Johnston County after police allegedly found baggies, “long trays” and marijuana in their possession.
Scott-McClarin worked as a security guard at the Fenton shopping center. His employer, Sunstates Security, released the following statement:
“Sunstates Security continues to fully cooperate with the authorities. Limited information can be shared in accordance with the investigation. We can confirm that Sunstates Security provides services for Fenton in an unarmed capacity. All Sunstates Security employees complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment in addition to a State of North Carolina Private Protective Services background investigation that includes fingerprint submission through the State Bureau of Investigation along with several hours of required training. What occurred was not in accordance with work-related activities and appears to be unintentional. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved.”
Scott-McClarin is being held in the Wake County Detention Center with bail set at $1.5 million.
