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Slain 14-year-old's family warns about school safety: 'They were wolves preying on a little sheep'

By Mark Barber
By Mark Barber

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolyn Grimsley's granddaughter, Taylor Smith, was 14 years old when she was shot and killed last year by classmates.

Smith was a student at a west Charlotte school for students with behavior issues.

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Grimsley said Smith met the two students accused of killing her, 17-year-old Eric Combs and 18-year-old Darvon Fletcher, when she was sent to Turning Point Academy.

While it’s been more than a year since the murder, the motive remains a mystery.

Police said the students took Smith to a park in Mount Holly and shot her to death.

"They were wolves preying on a little sheep,” Grimsley said. "I miss Taylor's smile. I miss the flower that never bloomed. She was just a bud."

Corrine Mack, president of Charlotte's NAACP, said the school never took action when Taylor warned them she was in danger.

Now, Mack's asking the district to start separating violent students grouped together in middle school and high school at Turning Point Academy.

"She verbalized that she felt threatened,” Mack said.

Young students like Smith with minor behavior problems share buses and learning areas with older students who have already been convicted of violent crimes.

One of the teens accused in her slaying was arrested multiple times on charges that include assault and battery before he was sent to the school.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board member Elyse Dashew said the district is always trying to improve school safety, but she's not aware if they've made any new changes.

"The safety of all of our students is of utmost importance,” she said.

Grimsley said that while Smith was killed, her story can save other students.

"A month before she passed away, she accepted the Lord in her life,” Grimsley said. "I believe if Taylor was here and could speak out, she would say get them out. Get those children out of there."

The Charlotte NAACP is asking CMS to reevaluate where they spend money so they can start funding more community partners and psychologists at schools to help at-risk students.

The case of Smith's killing is still moving through court. The prosecutor doesn't plan to seek the death penalty.

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