(SHELBY COUNTY D.A. NEWS RELEASE) – A Raleigh-area man has beenindicted on first-degree felony murder and other charges stemming from adispute that arose while he was seeking to purchase a handgun from the twovictims, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.
A grand jury also indicted defendant Jerrahmiah Rankins, 25, onattempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of adangerous felony, being a convicted felon (prior crime or violence or force) inpossession of a firearm, and theft of property under $1,000.
The shooting occurred on April 16 this year near Egypt CentralRoad and Kerwin Road when Rankins and several companions met with Crishawn Pratcher,18, and a 17-year-old friend who were offering a hand gun for sale. An argumentoccurred during negotiations, and Rankins said he was going to keep the gun.
Rankins told the driver of the car he was in to pull away, and hethen fired one shot from an assault rifle, with the bullet passing through oneteen’s right hand and into Pratcher’s torso. Paramedics pronounced Pratcherdead at the scene.
Rankins was developed as a suspect and was arrested about twoweeks later by U.S. Marshals at an apartment in the 1000 block of Peabody Ave.
The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Meghan Fowler ofthe DA’s Special Prosecution Unit 7 which seeks maximum sentencing for repeatfelony offenders.
