KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office will charge the two people involved in Sunday night’s shooting of a woman with murder after she died on Monday.

Lenoir County Public Information Officer Bryan Hanks said in a media release that Amie Danielle Heath, 33, died at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. The suspects, a 17-year-old, and Shy’mecca Epps, 24, of Kinston, will be charged with an open count of murder by the sheriff’s office.

Deputies responded to the 3700 block of N.C. Hwy 55 West in Kinston Sunday just after 7:30 p.m. and found Heath with a gunshot wound to her head. She was transported to ECU Health Medical Center.

The sheriff’s office reports the two suspects, Heath and her boyfriend, were involved in a minor traffic accident leading up to the shooting. The two parties agreed between themselves to exchange money.

A disagreement ensued and Heath and her boyfriend left the scene of the crash and went home. Investigators said as they pulled into their driveway, the suspects allegedly shot and hit the victim in the head.

An investigation began where information was gathered, including details on the suspects’ vehicle. A Kinston police officer saw the vehicle near Skinners Bypass on U.S. 70 and called for assistance. The vehicle was stopped at the Hampton Inn in Kinston and two suspects were taken into custody, the 17-year-old male teen from Kinston and Epps. There were also two children in the vehicle.

Epps and the juvenile were previously charged with the following:

  • One count of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle
  • One count of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury

The juvenile was taken to a secured juvenile facility and Epps was placed in the Billy Smith Detention Center in Kinston under a secured bond.

“I am very saddened about this situation and I offer my prayers for the victim and her family,” Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said on Monday. “I am very, very grateful for the hard work of our deputies in this case. I’m also grateful and thankful for the incredible assistance of the officers of the Kinston Police Department for locating and taking the suspects into custody. This is an excellent example of great teamwork between our agencies.”