Teen charged in fatal North Carolina homecoming shooting

A 16-year-old has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Michael Deandre Cowling Jr. at a high school homecoming party in Lenoir, North Carolina. Deputies found Cowling with a gunshot wound to the head shortly after responding to the scene early Saturday; he later died at a hospital. Cowling’s father said his son, known as Mikey, was trying to protect a friend when a fight broke out, though investigators are still establishing what happened. About 70 to 80 people were reportedly at the party, and the investigation remains active. The family remembers Cowling as generous, funny and beloved by his community.