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Police ID man accused in 2016 shooting death of Cleveland Co. mother

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — More than a year after a Cleveland County mother was shot to death, police said they now know who pulled the trigger.

Channel 9's partners at The Gaston Gazette reported that investigators have connected Antarious Byers to the murder, but he is not yet in custody.

[RELATED: Mother of two shot, killed at Cleveland County house party, police say]

Police said Byers fired a shot outside a party in Kingstown in October 2016. The bullet went through the home, killing 23-year-old Deasia Washington, who was inside.

Detectives said Washington was not the intended target.

"This is a tragic event. This young lady went to a party to have fun with her friends and was senselessly murdered by some coward she didn’t even know who was trying to kill someone else after a fistfight,” said Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman.

Byers faces a second-degree murder charge in Washington’s death and an attempted first-degree murder charge for allegedly shooting at the man with whom he was fighting.

Additional charges against him include discharging a weapon into occupied property causing serious bodily injury, possession of stolen firearm, possession of firearm by felon and a federal indictment for violation of the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Investigators ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Byers contact the sheriff’s office at 704-484-4788. The sheriff’s office is working with the FBI in order to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of Byers.

Byers is considered armed and dangerous. If you spot him, do not approach him and immediately call 911, Norman said.