The Orange County Sheriff’s Office revealed details on Monday about the 17-year-old suspect accused of murdering two teenagers in September, the first instance of discussing the case since the juvenile’s apprehension.
Investigators held a press conference to share more details on Issiah Mehki Ross, a Mebane resident, whose case was formally moved from juvenile court to superior court for him to be charged as an adult. Ross is accused of killing 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 17-year-old Devin Clark the weekend of September 17-18 of this year.
Sheriff Charles Blackwood said neighbors living near the crime scene in rural Orange County reported hearing gunshots “early Saturday morning,” leading investigators to estimate that was the time of the shooting.
“Investigators with my office developed Mr. Ross as a suspect by processing the crime scene and surrounding area,” said Blackwood, “to collect and analyze evidence, including forensic evidence. These efforts led to our belief that Mr. Ross is the person responsible for the death of Devin and Lyric.”
Blackwood said based on his office’s investigation, it’s determined Ross fled North Carolina late Sunday evening and was later found in Delaware. According to the sheriff, local investigators worked with the Delaware Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Force to ultimately detain Ross 18 days after the murders. Blackwood said there were several steps for apprehending Ross, including the task force using separate information from Orange County investigators’ to locate Ross and take out a search warrant. The 17-year-old returned to North Carolina several days later and was entered into a juvenile detention center in another county.
“The entire resources of my office, the district attorney’s office and partnering law enforcement agencies were used [in this case],” said Blackwood, “and we’re grateful for their help. And it speaks volumes about partnership in law enforcement.”
When asked how confident his investigators’ evidence is that Ross committed the murders, the sheriff responded: “Very confident.”
Jeff Nieman, the assistant district attorney, had previously shared the district attorney’s office plans to seek adult charges in the case once it was referred from juvenile court to superior court. He confirmed the defense for Ross did not file an appeal of the transfer of the 17-year-old’s case from district court to superior court.
“Sheriff Blackwood and I share the community’s grief and outrage,” said Nieman. “This is a horrible loss for Devin and Lyric’s families and friends, and a tragedy for the entire community.”
Woods, an Efland resident, was reported missing on Saturday, September 17. Separately, Clark, who was a Mebane resident, was also reported missing from home on Sunday, September 18. The two were later identified by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as two bodies found later that weekend near a power line easement and ATV trails off Buckhorn Road in Orange County. Investigators said the pair appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds and began their homicide investigation. Families of Clark and Woods later confirmed the two teenagers were friends.
Lyric Woods, 14. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)
Devin Clark, 18. (Photo via the National Gun Violence Memorial.)
Ross’ name was not initially released by investigators due to his age — North Carolina laws do not try 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in the state, meaning his identity was kept from public reports during his pursuit and juvenile trial. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said on September 20 it had identified a 17-year-old male suspect in the murder case, before sharing on October 5 that authorities detained a person in connection to the case.
“We have appreciated [the] patience you have afforded us and, frankly, we understand why at times this case has tried your patience,” Nieman said on Monday. “This has been very hard. Thankfully, our community has not had much experience with juvenile murder cases and I’m sure it’s difficult to accept how little information my office and the sheriff’s office is allowed to share in this type of case. But the law is the law, and the sheriff and I both have a sworn duty to uphold it.”
Much still cannot be shared by investigators as the case moves into superior court. As of Monday, both Blackwood and Nieman declined to speculate motives in the case. The pair also did not elaborate on when and why Woods and Clark each left their homes.
Investigators in the case have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests. Anyone who may have more information relevant to the homicide investigation for Lyric Woods and Devin Clark is encouraged to contact Investigator Keith Goodwin at 919-245-2918.
Nieman said Ross’ first appearance in superior court on the two first-degree murder charges will happen during the session scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 and Wednesday November 16.
Blackwood said in Delaware, two people are facing local charges for harboring a fugitive in connection to where Ross was staying after the murders.
Orange County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman speaks to reporters on November 7, 2022 about the ongoing court case for the murders of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark.
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