Two Charlotte teenagers will spend roughly 16 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in the 2024 shooting death of 15-year-old Anthony Smith, closing out a homicide case that rattled the Steele Creek area last fall. Both admitted to second-degree murder along with related conspiracy and robbery charges in a Mecklenburg County courtroom, ending a months-long investigation that began when Smith was reported missing in early September 2024.
According to WCNC, Samir Xavier Metoyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. A judge sentenced him to 192-243 months in prison, giving him credit for 543 days already served. His co-defendant, Issac Grier, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received the same 192-243-month term, with 468 days credited for time served, according to court records cited by the outlet.
How Smith Was Found
Smith’s family reported him missing on Sept. 4, 2024. Six days later, officers discovered human remains in a wooded area off Silverleaf Road near Old Pineville Road. The North Carolina Medical Examiner determined Smith had been killed by gunshot wounds and ruled the case a homicide, as reported by WBTV.
What Court Records Show
Court filings and prosecutor statements, as detailed by WCNC, say Smith was shot four times and that his pockets were turned inside out when his body was found, suggesting robbery may have been a motive. Prosecutors also told the court Smith’s family used multiple phone-tracking apps in an effort to locate him. Metoyer’s attorney said in court the two boys had been friends before the shooting, and investigators said Metoyer initially denied involvement before later admitting to killing Smith.
Sentencing And Legal Fallout
The 192-243 month sentences translate to roughly 16-20 years in state prison. With credit for time already served, both teens will begin serving those terms immediately. Prosecutors told the court the combined convictions include robbery and conspiracy charges that increase the total prison exposure the teens face in adult court.
Earlier Coverage And Community Reaction
As noted in earlier Hoodline coverage, Second 15-Year-Old Charged, two 15-year-olds were arrested in October 2024. The new guilty pleas mark the latest and most significant legal development in a case that drew sustained attention in Steele Creek. Community members and relatives who had followed the investigation attended the court hearing, bringing a measure of closure for Smith’s family even as broader concerns about youth violence in Charlotte remain.
Court records in the case remain public, and with sentencing complete, the legal focus now shifts to the long-term consequences and rehabilitation prospects for the defendants. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information related to the case to contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
