Man accused in drive-by murder of 16-year-old girl in Shelby appears in court

SHELBY, N.C. (WBTV) - U.S. Marshals have arrested the suspect accused of shooting and killing a 16-year-old high school student during a drive-by in Shelby in Nov. 2021.

20-year-old Santana Eaves, Jr. appeared before a judge for the first time Thursday. No bond was set and Eaves will remain in jail.

That is because the judge told Eaves he needed to get a lawyer before they set bond and the prosecutors say they are making a case to seek the death penalty.

On Jan. 12, 2022, law enforcement officials arrested Eaves on the outstanding warrant for first-degree murder.

These charges stem from a drive-by shooting in Shelby on Nov. 9, 2021, where Eaves is accused of murdering 16-year-old Skyteria Poston and fleeing the area.

A Shelby family and community was shattered after their loved one was shot and killed outside of her home on Tuesday.

20-year-old sought after teen girl killed in drive-by shooting in Shelby

”Oh I was happy. I’m gonna stay happy,” says Mona Chatman, Skyteria’s mom.

Chatman’s joy comes from the words she has been awaiting for two months - Eaves has been arrested.

”I might not feel relief that I want but she gonna rest in peace,” says Chatman.

The pain and heartache that materialized on the day Skyteria Poston was taken has not gone away though, especially for her boyfriend who watched the shooting happen in front of him, replaying it over and over.

”It was horrible. I never want to see anything like that again,” says Kenneth Patterson.

”I done been sick for two months. Two months since I’ve seen my baby die right in front of my face. That’s not good,” says Chatman.

But as they watched the man accused of killing her stand before a judge in handcuffs, some relief washed over them.

”My baby getting her justice. I’m glad that she’s getting her justice and that’s the only thing that mattered to me. I’m happy that she’ll be set free. Her soul will rest,” says Skyteria’s sister, Zanaya Davis.

Although the family’s memories of Skyteria will not keep them as warm at night, her family wraps themselves in the knowledge that the long road to justice has begun.

”You know what I think she would say? Thank you momma. Thank the police for me cause y’all got him and I can rest in peace,” says Chatman.

Police say the shooting happened the afternoon of Nov. 9. They received a call around 4 p.m. about gunfire in the area of Roberts and Martin streets. Poston was found in the yard of a home on Roberts Street.

On Dec. 17, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Service offered up to $5,000 for information leading to Eaves’s arrest.

U.S. Marshals Office offering $5,000 reward for information in death of Shelby teen

Through many hours of law enforcement interviews and information received from the public tips, Eaves was located on Biggers Lake Road, Lot 9, in Shelby.

Eaves was arrested and taken to the Cleveland County Jail, where he was confined pending his court appearances.

[‘They took the heart out of my chest’: Family, friends mourning life of 16-year-old Shelby teen killed in a drive-by shooting]

First-murder and discharging a weapon into occupied property warrants were taken out for Santana Almont Eaves Jr., also of Shelby.

[20-year-old sought after teen girl killed in drive-by shooting in Shelby]

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