USA NEWS TODAY: Sha’Mari Parker beat cancer as a child, worked grueling shifts at Walmart, and was set to graduate from East Carolina University with job offers waiting. But on January 7, his dreams were shattered in an alleged attempted robbery that ended in tragedy.
The 20-year-old student was found fatally shot behind the wheel of his vehicle in Washington, North Carolina—his life cut short before it could truly begin.
Police say Parker was driving with two teenagers when he was shot, causing his car to crash into a utility pole at an intersection in Beaufort County, roughly 38 miles north of New Bern. Authorities arrived on scene after a caller reported the crash and found Parker suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead moments later.
Seventeen-year-old Zaydrian Starkie has since been arrested and charged with murder and armed robbery. A second suspect, 16-year-old Quamir Razor, remains on the run. Both teens are accused of being in the car at the time of the shooting. Investigators believe the suspects shot Parker before fleeing the scene. The firearm used, police confirmed, did not belong to the victim.
“I Hope That’s Not My Baby’s Car”
For Parker’s mother, Cortyne Woolard, the pain of that night remains vivid.
Her son had been resting that day, preparing for another long shift. When she needed $5 to buy a ticket to her daughter’s basketball game, he quickly sent the money and texted back a thumbs-up. It was the last message she would ever receive from him.
As news broke during the game of a crash involving a 2017 Ford Escape—the same vehicle Parker drove—Woolard’s instincts kicked in.
“I hope it’s not my baby’s car,” she remembered thinking.
When she and her daughter rushed to the scene, officers confirmed their worst fears. The photo police showed her revealed blood on her son’s arm.
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“From there, it was just a blur,” she said.
A Fighter Since Childhood
Parker was no stranger to adversity. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at a young age, he endured chemotherapy, radiation, and a spinal tap. Despite the intense treatment, he insisted on returning to class—even after ankle surgery caused by weakened bones.
“He was so serious about his education,” Woolard said. “I drove him around for the rest of the semester. He said, ‘Ma, I can’t miss this class.’”
He was the eldest of four siblings and studying construction management with a clear vision for his future. When he wasn’t studying or working 10-hour shifts at Walmart, he was enjoying quiet evenings with family or playing video games.
“He Just Wanted to Help”
According to his mother, Parker knew both suspects. On the day of the shooting, Starkie had repeatedly texted and called him asking for a ride. Though Parker initially declined, saying he had work later, it appears he eventually agreed—possibly just to stop the constant messages.
Police confirmed a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Razor’s arrest. Woolard believes he may no longer be in the area.
“I Miss Him Every Day”
Parker’s girlfriend, Ayanni Bryant, said he was more than just a partner—he was her best friend and high school sweetheart.
“He had a gentle spirit,” she said. “The pain and his missing presence doesn’t get easier. It’s only easier to control the tears around people.”
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Woolard, too, feels the constant ache of his absence. “He didn’t have a real childhood,” she said, recalling how cancer shaped his early years. “He didn’t go many places. He just worked, studied, played his games and loved to eat.”
Wings, steak, fries, oxtails—her son’s favorites. And always, “Ma, what you gon’ cook?”
Call for Justice
As the investigation continues, Washington Police urge anyone with information to contact them at (252) 946-1444 or reach out to Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at (252) 974-6400.
Parker’s legacy, marked by perseverance, humility, and a quiet drive to succeed, now lives on in the hearts of those who loved him.
