A 26-year-old man from North Carolina was arrested by the police for fatally shooting a 7-year-old girl on Tuesday (June 23, 2020).

According to reports, Shaquille Marshon Francis, 26, did the horrible act 3 hours after being released from jail.

7-year-old Aaliyah Norris was shot by Francis in the head as she was inside a vehicle in Forest City, North Carolina.

The 7-year-old girl was taken to the hospital in a critical condition, by June 25, 2020, she died, confirmed the police.

Authorities were given information about the incident by caring community members that Francis was the suspect.

On Wednesday, he was arrested by the police and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, along with many other charges.

After the 7-year-old girl passed away, the charges were upgraded to murder, confirmed the police.

Chris LeRoy, a Chief with the Forest City Police, said that Francis had been released from jail on Tuesday, which was 3 hours before he shot the minor girl to death.

Forest City Dunbar Elementary School, the school of the 7-year-old girl, was saddened by the death of Aaliyah Norris.

In a post that was made on Facebook, the Forest City Dunbar Elementary School said:

The Forest City – Dunbar family is incredibly saddened at the loss of one of our students Aaliyah Norris. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Aaliyah Norris.

May her soul rest in peace.