Arrest Made in 2022 Lizard Lick Shooting That Claimed Life of Alex Shirley and Paralyzed Sophie Hagy

Arrest Made in 2022 Lizard Lick Shooting That Claimed Life of Alex Shirley and Paralyzed Sophie Hagy

PHILADELPHIA, PA / LIZARD LICK, NC — In a long-awaited breakthrough, Kievon Nicholson was arrested this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in connection to a 2022 gang-related shooting that left one teenager dead and another severely injured in Lizard Lick, North Carolina.

Nicholson, whose name had been known to authorities since the early stages of the investigation, was finally taken into custody on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, following years of investigative work led by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and collaborating agencies.

The Tragedy That Shattered Two Families

The violent shooting occurred on the evening of February 17, 2022, when Alex Shirley, the son of Ronnie Shirley and Kristi Lee, co-owners of the towing company made famous by the reality TV show Lizard Lick Towing, was sitting in the back seat of a car. Alongside him was Sophie Hagy, his friend, who was in the passenger side of the back seat.

According to court documents and statements from law enforcement, a group of gang members approached the car and opened fire, unleashing a barrage of 20 bullets. The hail of gunfire struck Alex, killing him on the scene. Sophie was shot twice in the back, resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down.

Since the incident, four individuals have been previously arrested and charged. One of those, Nathan Jackson, who was 16 at the time, was convicted and sentenced in December 2024 to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime, Jackson must serve the full 40 years before becoming eligible for parole.

“They Never Gave Up”

For Alex’s grieving parents, the arrest of Nicholson is a bittersweet milestone.

“We’ve known about this other guy since the start of it all,” said Kristi Lee, Alex’s mother. “They just needed to get enough evidence to catch him.”

Ronnie Shirley, known widely from Lizard Lick Towing, praised the determination of investigators: “It’s just really impressive seeing the amount of time and effort that the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office has put into this case. They never gave up on our son.”

The Ongoing Struggles of the Hagy Family

While the Shirley family continues their search for justice and healing, the Hagy family is left grappling with the daily aftermath of Sophie’s devastating injuries.

“Ever since the day that she got shot, she’s been pretty much in pain every day,” said Jeanne Hagy, Sophie’s mother. “This year alone, in 2025, she’s been hospitalized for three months.”

Now paralyzed and reliant on full-time care, Sophie faces a lifetime of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Her father, Jeff Hagy, described the emotional toll: “We’re going to try to help her get through it — and some days she doesn’t wanna get through it.”

The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Sophie’s ongoing medical expenses, mobility needs, and accessibility modifications to their home. Community support remains vital as the Hagys navigate the challenging road ahead.

What’s Next for Nicholson

Kievon Nicholson remains in custody in Philadelphia and is currently awaiting extradition to North Carolina, where he will face charges in connection to the shooting. Additional details on his court appearance and legal proceedings are expected in the coming days.

Law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether more arrests are expected, but they emphasize that the investigation remains open and active.

A Community Still Healing

This case has reverberated not just through the Shirley and Hagy families, but across the Lizard Lick and Wendell communities that followed the lives of the Shirley family through their TV show. The reality of violent crime has left lasting emotional scars, but also prompted an outpouring of solidarity.

As one chapter of the investigation closes with Nicholson’s arrest, the broader story of healing, justice, and advocacy continues. The families of Alex Shirley and Sophie Hagy hope that continued awareness and community support will carry them through the trials still to come.