A 15-year-old was murdered, Nov. 29. Police said officers who responded to a call for help on the night of the murder found the victim in the parking lot of a small strip mall at 594 South Reilly Road.

“He had been shot in the chest and officers attempted lifesaving measures,” Police spokesperson Lt. Diana Holloway said. “He was pronounced deceased on the scene.”

The boy’s name was not released by police, but a family member identified him as XaeVion Thornton. He was a sophomore student at Westover High School. Homicide detectives learned that a second person had been taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with gunshot wounds. Holloway said he had non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Detective J. Arnold at (910) 824-9539 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS.