FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA — Police charged 17-year-old Justice Miller with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Harryson Anderson at a house party in Fayetteville, North Carolina. An argument broke out at the party, and Anderson tried to de-escalate the situation before being shot in the back as he walked away.

Fayetteville Police credited residents for helping lead to the arrest of Miller. The suspect was charged three days after the shooting and is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond.

Anderson was a freshman at Fayetteville Technical Community College who planned to pursue a career in cybersecurity. He was enjoying his spring break when he and two friends decided to attend the house party.

Members of the Anderson family spoke publicly about the shooting for the first time. "I'd like to thank the Fayetteville PD for their execution and their effort and their timeliness, and their diligence on the case," said Julian Anderson, the victim's father.

Nina Anderson, the victim's mother, described her last conversation with her son. "I spoke to him at 11 o'clock, and I said be safe, Harryson, you guys be safe," she said. "He was trying to contact me as he got shot; it just reached my heart. I called back, and I didn't get an answer."

"The young lady who sat by his side when he was on the ground, I don't know her name, but I thank her because she was there to console him when I could not console him," Nina Anderson said. She added, "I would have loved to have been there his last hours, but he was so loved." Nina Anderson said she now hopes to create a foundation in her son's name.

Desirrae Harris, Anderson's older sister, reflected on their relationship. "I would always look him right in the eye and say, if you ever need anything, I'm here for you. That was my thing as his older sister, I wanted him to know I will be there his whole life," Harris said.

Olivia Anderson was in the interview room, sitting quietly on the side and did not speak because of her grief.