UPDATE: A second shooter has just been sentenced in the tragic murder of reality TV star Ron Shirley’s son. Joshua Christopher Stewart, now 21, received consecutive sentences totaling up to 22 years for the shooting that claimed the life of 21-year-old Harley Alexander “Alex” Shirley on February 17, 2022, at a Sheetz gas station in Garner, North Carolina.
Stewart’s sentencing comes after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder on September 6, 2023. The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Stewart will serve an initial sentence of 18 years to 22 years and eight months, followed by 11 years and nine months to 15 years and two months for his role in the senseless violence.
According to prosecutors, Stewart and 16-year-old Nathan Jackson fired approximately 20 shots into a parked vehicle, targeting Shirley, who was seated in the back. Tragically, Sophie Catherine Hagy, who was next to Shirley, was shot and is now permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Prosecutors state that she was not the intended target, highlighting the reckless nature of the attack.
Three other individuals were present in the vehicle during the shooting, with one sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. This shocking incident underscores the dangerous affiliations of the shooters, as both Stewart and Jackson are believed to be linked to the Nine Trey Bloods gang.
In a plea agreement, Stewart has committed to testifying against Jackson, who was sentenced last December to a combination of 15 years to 18 years and eight months and life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for his role in the crime.
Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller expressed his commitment to battling violence in the community, stating, “Such senseless acts of violence cannot, and will not, be tolerated. My office will continue to prosecute violent crimes to the fullest extent of the law.” He extended condolences to both the Shirley and Hagy families, emphasizing the profound impact of this tragedy.
As this case unfolds, the community and families affected by the violence are left to cope with the devastating consequences. The sentencing of Joshua Stewart serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for accountability within the justice system and the ongoing fight against gang-related violence.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.