One of the bullets grazed Hartis’ forehead, another hit Russell as he rushed a 2-year-old boy out of harm’s way. He later died at the hospital.
INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. -- The family and friends of a 15-year-old middle school student say they still can’t believe what happened on Sunday night, when the teen was shot and killed while spending the night at a friend’s house.
Jonathan Lee Russell, a seventh grader at Sun Valley Middle School, was hanging out with five friends when they heard a knock at the door. When it opened, Tamara Hartis, one of the five, says someone opened fire from outside.
“The next thing I noticed there were two guys getting up from [behind] the truck,” Hartis said. “It happened so fast. Shots started firing, I was standing in the doorway.”
One of the bullets grazed Hartis’ forehead, another hit Russell as he rushed a 2-year-old boy out of harm’s way. He later died at the hospital.
“As far as I’m concerned, the boy’s a hero,” said Hartis. “He needs to go down as a hero.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Union County Sheriff’s Office or CrimeStoppers.