17-year-old juvenile wanted for murders of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods apparently apprehended
A juvenile has been arrested in connection with the September 18 murders of Devin Clark of Mebane and of Orange County, Orange County sheriff Charles Blackwood announced late Wednesday afternoon.
Clark and Woods were found fatally shot on Sunday, September 18 by men riding four-wheelers, just off a power-line easement near the Buckhorn Flea Market at 529 Buckhorn Road in Mebane, according to the Orange County sheriff’s department.
“We hope this apprehension provides some relief to the families and friends of Devin and Lyric, who have experienced an excruciating loss,” Blackwood said Wednesday afternoon. “Obviously, the capture of the suspect does not restore their loved one to them. The grieving process is a long one, and we hope the community will continue to support them in their pain.”
While Blackwood had previously described the suspect as a 17-year-old, he said Wednesday that, under state law, “No one at the Orange County sheriff’s office has the ability or authority to release any further information until such time [as] the case is no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.”
“Not only does the relevant statute prohibit the release of the juvenile’s name, but also extends to the release of details such as who apprehended the individual, as well as when and where the apprehension took place,” Blackwood said Wednesday. “We understand our community is hungry for information to help process this tragedy,” he added.
“However, the laws regarding juvenile confidentiality are ironclad,” Blackwood elaborated. “We have no ability to set them aside, even given the heightened interest in this case.”
Blackwood announced late last month that he had filed a juvenile petition against the 17-year-old suspect for two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Clark, who had been a student at Eastern High School, and Woods, a freshman at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough.
Blackwood late last month thanked the Alamance County sheriff’s office, Burlington police department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies for their assistance in the investigation.
Eastern High School students held a “balloon release” in memory of Clark, who had been a wide receiver for the Eagles’ football team last year, and Woods during a previously-scheduled soccer match between the two high schools on September 19.
A funeral service was held for Clark on September 27, according to Blackwell Funeral Home.
Clark, 16, was born on May 5, 2004 to Dexter “Maurice” Clark, Jr. and Tiffany Concepcion, according to an obituary provided by the funeral home.
“Devin was very passionate about football and basketball,” his obituary stated. “Along with his friends, he loved to rap and have studio sessions in his ‘Cadi,’ and riding bikes and four wheelers were also great loves. Devin loved his friends and family more than anything. He made sure to check up on every one through hilarious FaceTime calls to brighten our days. Although he was often found with the guys, Lil D also loved the girls in his circle. A generous and loving brother, son, classmate, teammate, and friend to all.”
In addition to his parents, Clark is survived by: brother Devonta Clark; sister Delaysia Clark; paternal grandfather Dexter Clark Sr.; maternal grandmother Sally “Missy” Bowe; eight aunts (Deanna Cheek, Delilah Clark, Donna Clark, Crystal Bowe Hughes, Adriana Bowe, Ana Marie Bowe, Jackee Beckwith and Samantha Beckwith); four uncles (Donovan Clark, Joseph Bowe, Mark Hughes, Godfrey Bennett Beckwith, Mikkail Cairo Concepcion, Jamell Artis, and Christopher Bennett Beckwith); great aunts Sherell Bennett and Allison Rivers; great uncle Samuel Beckwith; and a host of relatives, family and friends. He was preceded in death by paternal grandmother Henrietta “Denise” Clark; maternal grandfather Joe Concepcion; maternal great-grandmother Ann “Dill” Beckwith; and an aunt, Shaquana Graham.
A celebration of life was held for Woods, 14, on September 24 at Crosslink Community Church in Mebane, according to McClure Funeral Home.
She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Cannada, and stepfather Shane Cannada of Efland; father Brady Woods and stepmother Jennifer Woods of Gibsonville; sister Genovia Cannada of Efland; stepsisters Haleigh Cannada, Caroline and Lily Bibbs and brother Waylon Woods of Gibsonville; grandparents Pam and Stan Dean; June Hensley and Wayne Woods; step-grandmother Faydean Cannada and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, according to the funeral home.
“Lyric loved life and loved volleyball,” her obituary stated. “She was an angel. Lyric was the funniest kid you could ever meet, she loved cracking jokes and being with her friends. She loved her eye lash curler and above all else she loved her Nike Air Jordans. Lyric was a beautiful soul on the inside and out.”
