Mother of two-year-old boy shot dead in Durham speaks out

ONLY on WRAL does the mother of a two-year-old boy shot and killed in Durham speak out.

On Monday evening, police were searching for the person who fired the fatal shots and were accepting tips from the public.

Manariah, the two-year-old toddler with the big smile and even bigger personality, brought joy to everyone around her.

“She was a happy person when she came into the world, she was just happy,” said Shycresha Spears, Manariah’s mother.

But on June 20, shortly after 8 p.m., a gunman ended her short life.

Durham Police report shots were fired at the Campus Crossings Apartments on East Cornwallis Road.

A 22-year-old man was hit, Manariah’s mother was grazed by a bullet and the 2-year-old was fatally wounded.

She was taken to hospital, but eight days later the toddler died.

“I’m doing well. I’m trying to be strong for my 3-year-old,” Spears said.

Spears talked about how she copes with her daily life.

“My family and friends and memories of them,” she said.

“I’m just praying to God to help me through this difficult time,” Spears said.

Spears says she is waiting for the autopsy results before planning the funeral.