ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — Anson County Sheriff Landric Reid and his wife, Cassandra Reid, said they're slowly regaining strength after the painful loss of their 16-year-old granddaughter, Shaundasia Smith, who they had raised since she was 5 years old.
RAW video of interview
"Spiritually we're trying to get through it," the sheriff said.
"I have good days, and I have days where I do nothing but just go in her room and just cry," said Cassandra Reid.
Smith was at a sleepover at friend's home in Wadesboro late last month when she was shot in the head.
Her friend's boyfriend, Roger Lee Rorie Jr., 22, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting.
The Reids said they did not know Rorie was going to be at the sleepover, and they were shocked when they later learned that marijuana and alcohol were confiscated from the home along with the weapon used in the shooting.
Homeowner: I didn't know gun was in home night of deadly shooting
The homeowner told Channel 9 weeks ago she did not know the items were in her home, either.
"I think when someone comes into my house, if there's alcohol or anything illegal in there, I'm going to know it because I'm going to be nosy or walk out and see what the kids are doing," the sheriff said.
Smith was a student who wanted to be an architect and had a reputation for doing the right thing.
She was active in her grandfather's campaign for sheriff and said this tragedy makes him redouble his efforts to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
"As a sheriff, this will make me a stronger person," Reid said.
"I just want her back, and I know I can't get her back," Cassandra Reid said.
"We're going to survive, but it'll never be the same; never be the same," the sheriff said.
A grand jury indicted Rorie earlier this week in Smith's death. A trial date has not been set.
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