SALISBURY, N.C. — Ayanna Allen has touched the heart of an entire community.
Several dozen people gathered outside her grandmother's home in Salisbury, some of whom never knew the 7-year-old, but showed up to honor her life and pledge justice for her death.
Ayanna was killed last weekend, when someone pulled up to the house on Harrel Street and fired more than a dozen shots while she slept inside, investigators said.
Her grandmother, Shirley Robinson, was also wounded, but is recovering.
"My heart is aching just to think I've got to lay in the bed without my grandchild," Robinson said.
Hours before Ayanna was killed, Salisbury police were busy investigating a separate shooting outside FireWater Restaurant and Lounge on Avalon Drive.
Police identified the victim in that shooting as 22-year-old Sharod Mathis.
Police believe the two crimes are connected, but have yet to make an arrest.
At the vigil Saturday, community members cried "enough is enough" in response to the city's deadly outburst of violence.
Ayanna's family also pleaded for anyone with information that could lead police to her killer to come forward.
"I need the closure for Ayanna," her grandmother said. "It took a 7-year-old child to call the city together."