Mother remembers 23-year-old Alvin Parson as ‘fun loving’ man who ‘loved his children with all his heart’
MONROE, N.C. — The mother of a 23-year-old man killed in a violent crime spree that rocked Union County over the weekend is remembering her son as a devoted father who had his whole life ahead of him.
Alvin Parson Jr. was found dead Saturday morning inside a home on Astoria Drive in Indian Trail, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. His death sparked a chain of events that ended hours later with a fatal police shooting in Monroe.
“Fun-loving person. Loved family, he definitely loved his children, with all his heart,” Theresa McNeil, Parson’s mother, said, describing her son.
RELATED: Homicide suspect opens fire on Monroe police, wounds officer before being killed, authorities say
Parson was a father to three young children and had been dating the sister of 18-year-old Joshua Sikes, who investigators believe was responsible for his death. The woman is also the mother of Parson’s daughter, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
McNeil said she discovered something was wrong when she saw the police response at the crime scene.
“I saw yellow tape, police calls, and I just knew something wasn’t right,” she said. “And I mean, my heart just dropped.”
The tragedy unfolded hours after McNeil had last spoken with her son Friday night.
“He asked me to pray for him and his friends, because we usually pray every night,” McNeil recalled.
Investigators believe Parson’s death is connected to a Monroe police chase that began when officers attempted to stop Sikes for suspicious behavior. During the pursuit, police say Sikes opened fire on officers, wounding one. The chase ended when officers located Sikes in nearby woods, where he was fatally shot after allegedly firing at law enforcement again.
Authorities have not released a motive for Parson’s killing.
McNeil and her family are now trying to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy while caring for Parson’s children.
“Trying to keep, get information on where to start, what to do, you know, just trying to hold it together,” McNeil said. “You know, for his children, you know, and it’s hard for his sister, his brother.”
The family has established a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses and provide support for Parson’s three children with the following statement:
“We are facing a heartbreaking situation after the tragic loss of Alvin Parson Jr. His life was cut short far too soon, and the impact on his family is unimaginable. At just 23, he was a devoted father to three young children who will now grow up without his presence.
It’s crucial that we come together to support his family during this difficult time. The financial burden of funeral costs is overwhelming, and providing for Alvin’s children is a priority. Every dollar raised will help honor Alvin’s memory and ensure his kids have some stability as they navigate this painful journey.
If you can contribute, please do. If not, sharing this campaign would be immensely helpful. Your kindness and support can truly make a difference in their lives. Let’s show them they are not alone in this.
Thank you for your compassion and support.”
The Union County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into Parson’s homicide, while the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is handling the officer-involved shooting. The wounded Monroe police officer is expected to recover.
Contact Myles Harris at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte wants to hear about your loved one
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you’re ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to [email protected].
