2nd teen shooter sentenced in murder of reality TV star’s son in Johnston County: DA

GARNER, N.C. (WNCN) — A second suspect has been sentenced in the deadly shooting of a reality television star’s son in Johnston County that took place more than three years ago, prosecutors said.

Joshua Christopher Stewart, 21, of Willow Spring was sentenced on July 11. He received consecutive sentences of 18 years to 22 years and eight months, and 11 years and nine months to 15 years and two months, according to the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office.

The back-to-back sentences come after Stewart pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder on Sept. 6, 2023, court records show.

According to county prosecutors, the sentencing is in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Harley Alexander “Alex” Shirley on Feb. 17, 2022, at a Sheetz gas station on Josephine Road. Stewart, then 17, and then 16-year-old Nathan Christopher Jackson of Garner were charged with firing 20 shots into the back of a parked vehicle, killing Shirley, who was sitting in the back seat on the driver’s side.

Prosecutors said Shirley was the intended target of the shooting. He is also the son of “Lizard Lick Towing” star Ron Shirley.

Twenty-year-old Sophie Catherine Hagy, who was sitting next to Alex Shirley, was also shot. She was permanently paralyzed from the waist down. According to county prosecutors, Hagy was not an intended target.

Three other people were inside the vehicle during the shooting. They were not hit by gunfire, but one sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to county prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Stewart and Jackson were suspected members of the Nine Trey Bloods gang.

According to county prosecutors, Stewart entered a plea agreement in exchange for testifying against Jackson.

Jackson was sentenced last December to consecutive sentences of 15 years to 18 years and eight months, and life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder, among other felony offenses, according to county prosecutors.

“Such senseless acts of violence cannot, and will not, be tolerated in our community,” Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller said in a statement. “My office will continue to prosecute violent crimes to the fullest extent of the law. And while we are pleased with the outcome of the sentencing hearing against Joshua Stewart, our hearts continue to go out to Alex Shirley’s family and to Sophie Hagy and her family.”

Johnston County Assistant District Attorney Eric Hinderliter said in a statement, “We want to thank Sophie Hagy, who courageously testified as a survivor of this horrendous act of violence at Nathan Jackson’s trial late last year. Sophie’s and Alex’s families have both shown extraordinary resolve as we prosecuted these cases. And last, but certainly not least, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office for their unmatched professionalism in the investigation of this case.”