Family Pleads for Answers 2 Years After 7-Year-Old's Killing

Antonio Maultsby Jr. was shot and killed inside his home in 2024, and his family is still seeking justice.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:04am

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Two years after 7-year-old Antonio Maultsby Jr. was killed in a drive-by shooting at his home in Chadbourn, North Carolina, his family is pleading for someone to come forward with information about the incident. Antonio's grandmother, Martha Davis, was sitting next to him when the shots were fired, and the family is desperate for answers and closure.

Why it matters

Gun violence and unsolved homicides have a devastating impact on communities, leaving families with unresolved grief and a lack of justice. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for answers and accountability in the face of tragic loss.

The details

In March 2024, Antonio Maultsby Jr. was killed inside his home during a shooting near Chadbourn in Columbus County. His grandmother, Martha Davis, was sitting next to him when the shots were fired through the house. The family has been left with many unanswered questions about what happened and who was responsible for the shooting.

  • Antonio Maultsby Jr. was killed in March 2024.
  • The family gathered at Antonio's grave to mark what would have been his 9th birthday.

The players

Antonio Maultsby Jr.

A 7-year-old boy who was killed in a drive-by shooting at his home in Chadbourn, North Carolina in 2024.

Martha Davis

Antonio's grandmother, who was sitting next to him when the shots were fired through the house.

Vickie Davis

Antonio's aunt, who says the family still has many questions about what happened and is pleading for someone to come forward with information.

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What they’re saying

“Somebody talk—say something. Something, anything. Any help would do some good… just help.”

— Martha Davis, Antonio's grandmother

“He loved blue—everything blue. He wanted blue pants, blue shirt… blue everything.”

— Martha Davis, Antonio's grandmother

“It's something like a movie… all of those shots that come through the house. I dream about this stuff every night—every night. I cannot sleep at all.”

— Martha Davis, Antonio's grandmother

“Just take it day by day, wishing they would find out who did it. If you have any feeling in your heart, please help us find out who did this to him. He did not deserve this.”

— Vickie Davis, Antonio's aunt

“If you know anything or you have heard anything, please tell us. Because it's eating us up, and we need to know who did this so we can bring it to justice. Please, y'all help us find who did this.”

— Martha Davis, Antonio's grandmother

What’s next

A reward of more than $4,000 is available for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing pain and search for justice that families face when a loved one is lost to gun violence. The Maultsby family's pleas for answers and closure underscore the need for community cooperation and accountability in solving these crimes.