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Man accused of shooting child in head was released from jail just 3 hours earlier


Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy confirmed that 26-year-old Shaquille Francis was released from jail on unrelated charges three hours before he is accused of shooting 7-year-old Aaliyah Norris in the head. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy confirmed that 26-year-old Shaquille Francis was released from jail on unrelated charges three hours before he is accused of shooting 7-year-old Aaliyah Norris in the head. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
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FOREST CITY, N.C. (WLOS) - Police in Forest City said a man was released from jail Tuesday, just hours before he is accused of shooting a child.

Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy confirmed that 26-year-old Shaquille Francis was released from jail on unrelated charges three hours before he is accused of shooting 7-year-old Aaliyah Norris in the head.

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“He was arrested at some point, I don’t know if it was yesterday or not. He was released from custody after noon for some unrelated charges,” LeRoy said.

Rutherford County arrest records show Francis had been arrested the day of the shooting for assault by pointing a gun. Records also indicated he was given no bond.

LeRoy said at some point the bond decision changed, and Francis was able to bond himself out.

In a search of the North Carolina Department of Corrections website, News 13 also learned Francis had a prior criminal record dating to at least 2017.

“I don’t know whether this was necessarily a random act. I just don’t know what the motivation was,” LeRoy said, adding that Francis and Norris knew each other.

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Francis now faces three new charges related to the shooting, including assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill.

Police said Francis turned himself in on those charges Wednesday morning. Police also said the charges could be upgraded.

“Depending on how the outcome for the child is, we’ll revisit stuff with the district attorney’s office. And I know our office has already been in contact with them,” LeRoy said.

LeRoy said police are still investigating to see if more people were involved.

On Wednesday afternoon, LeRoy said Norris was still in critical condition.

There is a GoFundMe page to help with Norris’ medical expenses.

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