Editor’s Note: This story contains details that some readers may consider graphic or disturbing. Additionally, the story has been updated to better reflect the prosecution’s recounting of witness testimony, which included Ross’ detailing of the story. A previous edition of this article said Clark was struck and killed when the gun went off, but the witness claims Ross said he shot Clark.
The lead suspect in the September murder of two local teenagers is accused of shooting the pair several times in the back before fleeing the state, according to prosecutors.
Issiah Mehki Ross, an 18-year-old Mebane resident, made his first appearance of 2023 in Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon. The hearing was over a bond motion filed by the defense — to create a $200,000 bond for Ross, arguing he was not a flight risk. During the arguments, both the prosecution and defense presented information that laid out a timeline for a shooting that’s captured attention and empathy from many in the Orange County community.
Ross is the lead suspect in the deaths of 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark, whose bodies were found together off Buckhorn Road in rural Orange County on Sunday, September 18. The pair, whose families say were friends, were separately reported missing earlier in the weekend.
The prosecution’s argument to keep Ross under no bond included evidence gathered from the scene of the crime, details from interviews with relatives of the suspect, cell phone data obtained by the State Bureau of Investigation and more. According to the prosecution on Tuesday, Woods messaged Clark between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 17 asking to be picked up from her home. Clark then messaged Ross asking for a ride, which Ross obliged by using his mother’s vehicle: a white GMC Terrain. Ross’ representation, attorney Jonathan Trapp, clarified Tuesday that his client did not have any prior relationship with Woods.
At some point in the following hour, after picking up Woods, things turned violent. Clark — who the state says had his father’s firearm with him — and Woods were shot multiple times on a gravel road off Buckhorn Road.
According to a witness who communicated with Ross later on September 17, and who later spoke to Orange County investigators, Ross claimed that a struggle broke out while in his mother’s SUV over the firearm. Ross told this witness — as relayed by prosecution Tuesday — that “the gun went off, in the vehicle, that he was able to overtake the gun from Devin” and he shot him. The witness claimed Ross said he also shot Woods in the vehicle before disposing of the bodies.
But investigators found evidence that contradicts this story, according to prosecutors. After seizing and swabbing the GMC Terrain in the days following Woods and Clark’s deaths, blood was found on the inside and outside of the vehicle — but not enough to indicate two people died inside. Prosecutors on Tuesday said the swabs are still being processed for DNA.
For the first time publicly, the extent of the two teenagers’ wounds was shared. Woods was reportedly shot four times: twice in her back, once in her arm, and once in her neck. Clark was shot five times, according to investigators: three times in his back, once in the foot through his heel, and once in the back of his head.
Investigators found more evidence of blood and 13 shell casings from a 9-millimeter firearm at the crime scene off Buckhorn Road. Prosecutors described some of those shell casings as being found in groups and the bodies being “dragged and/or placed” in an area of tall brush, both on their backs with their arms out-stretched.
“Looking at all of the preliminary evidence we have,” said Orange County Assistant District Attorney Anna Orr, “and I feel like it will only be strengthened when we get the rest of the forensic evidence returned…Devin and Lyric were shot in the back while they were running away from this vehicle. They were shot outside the car, they were not shot inside the car. The grouping of the shots show that they traveled some distance — they both had shots at close range.
“They were executed,” Orr continued. “This was not some struggle over a gun and the gun went off. This was much more serious than that. And there was an attempt at concealing the crime by hiding the bodies.”
Less than 24 hours after sharing the discovery of the bodies, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared it had a lead juvenile suspect in the case, keeping Ross’ identity confidential according to North Carolina law, since the teenager was 17 years-old at the time of the crime. Authorities eventually arrested Ross on October 5 in Delaware, which the defense said was his home state before moving to Mebane in the last year.
On Tuesday, prosecutors also said Ross has a prior criminal record in Delaware, but those records are not public based on his age at the time of the crimes.
Jonathan Trapp, the attorney representing Ross, argued his client was not a flight risk and deserved to have a bond because he went to Delaware with “no where else to stay.” Trapp said Ross was kicked out of his mother’s residence because of damage done to her vehicle, which he acknowledged was in the crime scene during the time of Woods and Clark’s murders.
After hearing arguments from both the local district attorney’s office and Ross’ representation, Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour denied bond for Ross on Tuesday. He also ruled that the white GMC Terrain — which is in possession of investigators — will remain impounded at least until the forensic test results from inside the vehicle are returned.
Ross’ first court appearance came on November 15, although it was a brief and largely procedural appearance that did not provide details into evidence in the homicide case. Like during Ross’ first appearance, part of the Orange County courtroom was filled with friends and family of the two victims. The group, which included people wearing shirts with Woods and Clark’s faces on them, sat and listened to the details. Some softly cried as details of Woods and Clark’s deaths were shared.
Despite being a juvenile when Woods and Clark’s murders happened, Ross is being tried as adult for the first-degree murder charges. Orange County District Attorney Jeff Nieman has stated the prosecution will not seek the death penalty for the teenager, but Ross could face life in prison if found guilty. The 18-year-old is being held in the Orange County Jail, as he has since December 12. Because of his age, Ross was previously being kept in a juvenile facility.
Issiah Ross, 18. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines