A Johnston County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter in the death of a 12-year-old boy, down from a second-degree murder charge, court records show.
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Ty’ryn Anthony Zah’rel Washington, 21, of Kenly, was accused of killing Kyrell Stewart in a crowded Clayton apartment on Nov. 28, 2025, The News & Observer reported. Washington was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter before the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder on Dec. 3, 2025.
An eyewitness told police that Washington was “manipulating” a brown handgun when it fired and a bullet struck Kyrell, according to search warrants The N&O obtained in February.
Another eyewitness told police Washington and Kyrell were cousins and the shooting was accidental.
The N&O is working to find out more details about the plea agreement, including Washington’s sentence. Court records show he was out on pre-trial release at the time of the shooting, accused of aiding and abetting another man accused of pointing a gun at someone and helping the man evade arrest, The N&O previously reported.
Kyrell attended Coats Elementary and Coats Erwin Middle schools in the Harnett County towns of Coats and Dunn respectively, according to his obituary. He had a “joyful spirit” and brought smiles to people with his “playful nature and silly antics.”
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“His laughter and vibrant smile had a magical way of brightening even the darkest days, serving as a reminder of the incredible impact he made on everyone he met,” Kyrell’s obituary reads.
Kyrell’s cousin, Denocia Sanders, told The N&O in December that she learned later Kyrell had been helping his grandfather around the house the day of his death.
“He was sweet,” Sanders said. “He loved all of his family. He just had a loud personality, and that’s what people liked about him. He was really outgoing, just a fun kid.”
This is a developing story and will be updated when more details become available.
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