UPDATE: In an update shared on Tuesday, Hillsborough Police said investigators have “been talking to people of interest,” but the investigation remains in its early stages and the authorities are interested in any information the community can provide on the shooting or the victims.

“We would love to have some tips and cooperation from the public,” said Maj. Jason Winn, the Hillsborough assistant police chief. “We need as much help as we can get from the public.”

Below is the original story, published on Monday, Dec. 30.

A teenager and a young adult are dead after an overnight fatal shooting in Hillsborough, with police investigating the crime and searching for additional information.

A release from the town government Monday afternoon said Hillsborough Police officers responded to a call at 6:40 a.m. about a gunshot injury along Cardinal Drive — a road off South Churton Street just south of an exchange with Interstate 85. Upon arrival, officers found two people shot in a vehicle parked at the end of the road, which dead-ends near a hotel and apartment community.

One of the victims was a Hillsborough resident: a 16-year-old female, who WRAL and ABC11 each reported is Zikera Wardlow. Wardlow’s family lives in the apartment complex next to Cardinal Drive. Police are not publicly releasing her name, which is common for younger victims — but the Orange County Schools system sent out an alert to families on Monday about Wardlow’s death. Although she was not enrolled for the current academic year, Wardlow was a Cedar Ridge High School freshman in 2023-24.

“Our hearts go out to her family and friends and all who knew her, especially the Cedar Ridge girls’ basketball team on which Zikera played last year,” said the district’s alert. “The team will observe a moment of silence in her memory before their game on Friday, January 3, 2025. Counselors and support services will be available for students and staff.”

The other victim is 20-year-old De’Anthony Letrelle Morgan, who is a resident of La Grange in Lenoir County. Monday’s release said the family members of the victims have been notified.

The State Bureau of Investigation is assisting Hillsborough Police in their investigation of the shooting, according to the town’s alert. Police request anyone with information about the shooting to contact Investigator Andrew Jones with the department at 919-296-9562 over the phone or andrew.jones@hillsboroughnc.gov for emails. Additionally, any anonymous tips can be reported by calling 919-296-9555, messaging the police department through its Facebook page, or using the See it, Say it, Send it app and website.

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