‘We’re heartbroken’: Family says 12-year-old was beaten to death by sister’s father
Two people faced a judge on Monday after police say they killed a 12-year-old boy in a north Charlotte home last week.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says 12-year-old Ahmad Wrighten was beaten to death at a house on Sunwalk Court last Friday. Police arrested Anthony Wifgall and Demetria Robinson for murder charges.
>> A GoFundMe has been started to cover the family’s unexpected funeral costs. Click here to contribute.
Monday morning, the courtroom was packed as both of the suspects made their initial appearances.
RELATED: 12-year-old killed in north Charlotte identified, suspects arrested police say
Channel 9′s Crime Reporter Hunter Sáenz was in court for the hearings. Both Wigfall and Robinson were told by a judge that they were charged with first-degree murder, and they were appointed public defenders.
Family members who spoke to Sáenz say that the young victim has no relation to either suspect, but that Wigfall is the father of Ahmad’s sister.
This is Ahmad Wrighten.
He was 12-years-old.
Police say he was murdered last week at a home in north Charlotte.
The two people who officers say killed him are due in court this morning.
That sweet smile. Please pray for his family. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/DrLUvqHvuF— Hunter Sáenz (@Hunt_Saenz) June 19, 2023
The boy’s family told Sáenz that Ahmad was in town from Charleston for a graduation, and he was staying at Wigfall’s house last Friday.
Monday, Ahmad’s family members were still in disbelief, but they vowed for justice.
“He was a typical 11-year-old, 12-year-old student who enjoyed life and the things that he did as a child,” said Michael Wrighten, the victim’s great-grandfather. “We’re not doing very well. We’re heartbroken and I don’t mind if the world knows it. I’m heartbroken; we cried together [Sunday] at church services.”
The assault happened in front of a four-year-old girl, the great-grandfather said.
The boy tried to escape.
Ahmad's mother asked me to share this GoFundMe page to help support his funeral costs.
She never imagined this tragedy and I'm sure the family could use any help y'all may be able to provide. @wsoctv https://t.co/rtFlOtcsM5— Hunter Sáenz (@Hunt_Saenz) June 21, 2023
“He was running, literally, running for his life and he caught him and dragged him back,” Wrighten said.
“This is a nightmare,” said Dorian Wrighten-Miller, the victim’s aunt and godmother. “This is a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. This is a nightmare.”
Ahmad was a health young boy, she said.
“He was just playing in my yard just the other day,” Wrighten-Miller said.
Wrighten-Miller said she couldn’t believe the news of Ahmad’s death.
“I said, ‘Gone where? It’s one o’clock in the morning. Gone where?’” she said. “’Where did he go?’ She said, ‘No, Dori, he’s gone.’”
The suspects remain in jail.
The family is waiting on autopsy resorts before they can make funeral arrangements.
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