https://www.rrspin.com/archives/item/15991-extradition-pending-following-man-s-arrest-in-clay-murder.html#sigProIdcde821afc3
Weldon police Chief James Avens said at a press conference Malcolm Lukei Artis, 22, fled to Georgia following the drive-by shooting last Thursday which ultimately claimed the life of Jaxson Ryder Clay, who would have turned 2 on December 23.
Avens said Artis’ connections to Georgia were not immediately known. The man, who goes by the street names Marco, Macco and Little Keith was arrested by special agents of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, the North Carolina SBI Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, the Atlanta Police Department, the Douglas County Georgia Sheriff’s Office and agents of the FBI’s Charlotte and Atlanta field offices.
He was arrested in Lithia Springs which is in northeastern Douglas County.
He faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling.
Artis’ record with the state Department of Public Safety includes an assault and battery charge and a simple affray charge which were consolidated for judgment in Halifax County in August of 2016. He received a suspended sentence with probation.
Avens told reporters and family members the boy “had just finished attending the town of Weldon Christmas parade and he was eating pizza while enjoying the company of his parents, baby sister and grandfather when he was fatally struck in the head.”
Said Avens: “Jaxson Ryder Clay and his family will not get a chance to celebrate his second birthday on December 23 or Christmas with his family. I ask that you keep his family in prayer.”
The boy’s funeral was at 1 p.m. today, Avens said. “I cannot imagine the grief they are feeling. Jaxson’s mother was contacted prior to the funeral and was informed an arrest was made. I hope that may bring some relief to the family.”
Avens would only say multiple shots were fired as the boy was moving from one part of the house in the 700 block of Elm Street to another. While he maintains the shooting was not random, he declined to go into details of motive during the briefing.
With Special Agent John Taylor of the SBI present, along with Weldon Lieutenant Chris Davis, Avens said, “This investigation took a lot of resources working together and I would like to thank the SBI, FBI, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke Rapids Police Department and all of the concerned citizens who provided information during this investigation.”
Avens said Weldon firefighters and Halifax County EMS tried to keep the boy alive. “I want to commend first responders for working tirelessly to save the child’s life and Halifax Regional for preparing the boy for transport.”
The boy died just before midnight. The shooting occurred a few minutes after 8:15 p.m.
Avens said whether others are arrested in the case is dependant on where the leads turn.
Remembrances of another toddler
This is the second time the police department has investigated the murder of a toddler, Avens said, and the thoughts of 2-year-old Dy’Unanna Anderson in 2014 were never far away during the Clay investigation. “Being a father, I sympathize with the family. It’s not an easy task to investigate the death of a child. There were long days and sleepless nights in bringing justice for Jaxson.”
Taylor, of the SBI, who also assisted Weldon in the Anderson murder, said, “It’s unfortunate when you lose any child. I think it was painful for all of us.”
If there was anything to gain from the Anderson murder, Taylor said, “I think it helped the people of the community submit information (in the Clay murder) and for that we’re thankful.”
Father and mother interview
Outside Weldon Town Hall, where the press conference was held, the boy’s mother, Brittany Labonte, said, “He was a happy little boy and we loved him very much.”
His father, Gene Clay Jr., said, “He was always smiling, always happy.”
Labonte said, “We could never have a bad day with him.”
Mr. Clay said the apprehension of Artis brings some relief to the family. “We let the police do their work and we hope he gets justice for it.”
Labonte said she and Mr. Clay were working on what to get their son for Christmas before the shooting. “He was still in a crib. Because he was real active I was going to get him a new Paw Patrol bed because he likes Paw Patrol.”
Mr. Clay was thankful for law enforcement which investigated the case. “They did a lot of work investigating and I’d like to thank them for justice for Jaxson. He deserves it.”
Said Labonte: “I appreciate everything they’ve done. They’ve done more than I could have thought. I didn’t think it would move this fast. We’re just happy for him.”
Mr. Clay said, “This holiday will never be the same. My birthday was December the 10th. Now the rest of my birthdays are going to be in remembrance of him, my birthday’s not going to be about me anymore, it will all be about him.”
