'He took my baby': Man charged in death of Gastonia mother
Life was starting to look good for 19-year-old Zanayah White.
She was on the verge of receiving a promotion at the Wendy's restaurant where she worked, and she was talking about going back to school to earn her GED, said her mother, Latoya White on Monday.
The only dark spot, White said, was Zanayah's ex-boyfriend, 24-year-old David V. McDowell III, with whom she shared a 2-year-old son.
McDowell allegedly threatened Zanayah's life, publishing a song on Facebook in which the lyrics include painting the sky red with her blood, White said. Zanayah was in a new relationship, and her mother believes McDowell was jealous.
On Saturday afternoon, according to police, he's accused of making good on those alleged threats, going to where Zanayah was living on Dix Street, demanding her cell phone, and when she refused, shooting her, White said.
He was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree murder.
"He took my baby," White said, speaking through tears. "He killed my baby, just 'cause she wouldn't give him her cellphone."
After Zanayah was killed, the shooter wasn't finished, White said. The gunman walked outside and shot White's fiance in the face.
Keith Tate, 31, is now hospitalized in Charlotte, fighting for his life, White said. The bullet tore off Tate's lip and took some of his teeth. Tate tried to drive away after he was shot but wrecked nearby.
"He never came back," White said.
Latoya White said that after Zanayah was dead, family members received threatening messages and social media comments purportedly sent by McDowell.
"I can't sleep. I can't eat. Every time I close my eyes, I see my daughter," White said.
Latoya White said that McDowell has no permanent address, so when she tried to take out a protective order to keep him away from her daughter, she could not get one.
Zanayah's 14-year-old sister witnessed the shooting, and she and Latoya are both struggling, Latoya said.
"She's not doing good," she said. "I be shaking. I can't eat. I can't sleep."
