ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A Camden County family is devastated and grieving after their teen daughter was murdered Sunday in Elizabeth City.
Summer Waaga, age 18, died after being stabbed in the neck in the 1000 block of Butlers Lane on Sunday morning.
Police were called to the scene at 11:35 a.m. after a 911 call came in about an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they found Waaga laying on the ground with a stab wound to the neck.
“I’ve sat here and I’ve asked myself ‘why’ all night,” said Christine Ackermann, Waaga’s mother.
EMS transported Waaga to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
While officers were on the scene a tip came in that the suspect, a juvenile, fled on foot and was heading towards Elizabeth City State University. The provider of the tip told dispatch that the suspect had stopped and asked to use their phone. Officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect near ECSU.
“This is something you pray every day of your life that would never happen,” Ackermann said. “This is my worst fear that could have ever, ever happened. My life will never be the same.”
Ackermann confirmed to WAVY.com the underage suspect is a female who knew her daughter. At one point, she said, both attended Camden County High School together.
The suspect is Morgan Lynn McDonald, age 17, the Daily Advance reported on Tuesday.
Ackermann said her daughter lived full-time with her in the Shiloh area of Camden County. But, she said, Waaga was hanging out with friends at the house on Butlers Lane.
“Summer got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” her mother explained. “By no means did she live there. Did she go there a lot? Probably; and not tell her momma.”
Officers report that the victim had gotten into a verbal argument with the suspect before she was stabbed. After being stabbed the victim was able to walk outside before collapsing in the front yard.
According to police, the victim and suspect have no blood relation to one another and were hanging out with other friends at the residence during the time of the altercation.
Ackermann said, if anything, two lives have been lost after this tragedy.
“My heart is even heavier this morning because I worry about this little girl’s parents also,” said Ackermann about the suspect’s family. “I don’t want them to feel like I hold them responsible or blame them for the actions their daughter took.”
The suspect is being charged with first degree murder. Sgt. Darrell Felton with the police department said a murder weapon was recovered.
Summer’s family is now trying to raise money to help pay for her funeral expenses. A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $6,000 in just 1 day.
A memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jon Mason officiating, according to her obituary.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the funeral home lobby.
Twiford Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street in Elizabeth City is serving the Waaga family.