Crime
10-year-old Miyah Harp dies after accidental shooting in Aiken County, mother Amalia Beltran faces meth charges
Investigators clarified that she was not the individual handling the firearm at the time of the accident.
In a tragic incident, 10-year-old Miyah Harp lost her life in an accidental shooting on Monday night, marking the second child shooting in Aiken County within 24 hours.
The shooting occurred around 9:57 p.m. in the 300 block of Wendy Lane in Windsor, as reported by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency responders pronounced Miyah deceased at the scene at 11:13 p.m., with the cause of death identified as a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, a preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting occurred when a family member unintentionally discharged a small-caliber rifle.
The family member’s handling of the firearm led to the fatal accident. Miyah’s autopsy is scheduled to take place in Newberry.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine at the residence.
This discovery led to the arrest of Miyah’s mother, 32-year-old Amalia Nicole Beltran, on charges unrelated to the shooting.
Beltran faces allegations of drug trafficking involving 28 to 100 grams of methamphetamine or cocaine base.
Investigators clarified that she was not the individual handling the firearm at the time of the accident.
The incident has left the community grieving, highlighting the devastating consequences of accidental firearm discharges and raising concerns about the additional drug-related activities uncovered during the investigation.
Coffee County, Ala. — A homicide investigation is underway after a fatal shooting at a residence near Kinston on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, deputies responded at approximately 7:51 a.m. to a reported shooting along County Road 483, just off County Road 89 in the Kinston area.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a deceased individual at the scene.
Officials later indicated the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between two individuals, though additional details have not yet been released.
Authorities identified the suspect as Joseph Levi Jackson, who was wanted in connection with the shooting death of his father.
Jackson was initially reported to have fled the scene on foot and was considered armed and dangerous.
The search involved multiple agencies, including the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including troopers and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents.
State tracking dogs were deployed as part of the coordinated search effort, particularly near Hattaway Road and Charolais Road, off Covington County Road 89.
Jackson was last described as wearing a black and red flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap.
Law enforcement urged residents not to approach the suspect and to contact 911 with any information.
Following an intensive search, Sheriff Byrd confirmed that Jackson was located and taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges but confirmed that the investigation is being led by ALEA.
The suspect’s temporary flight prompted Kinston School to delay its opening on Monday morning. School officials later announced a full closure for the day out of an abundance of caution.
In a statement, school administrators thanked local law enforcement for their swift and professional response, emphasizing that the safety of students, staff, and families remains their top priority.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing the scene and gathering additional information.