In Loving Memory of Cormani Percel Alston Burnett
With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, family, friends, and the Roanoke Rapids community are mourning the tragic loss of Cormani Percel Alston Burnett, whose life was cut short far too soon. At just 25 years old, Cormani’s passing has left an ache that words can scarcely describe — a silence where laughter once lived, and a void where love once flourished.
On the evening of Monday, February 23, 2026, tragedy unfolded in Halifax County. According to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly before 8:00 p.m. to reports of shots fired near Highway 48 and Rhea Smith Road. When they arrived at the convenience store parking lot, they discovered Cormani inside a vehicle, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Despite all hope, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into his murder remains active, and authorities continue to work diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As of now, no additional details about potential suspects have been released. While the legal process moves forward, a grieving family is left to face the unimaginable reality of life without their beloved son, relative, and friend.
A Life Remembered
Cormani was more than the manner of his passing. He was more than a headline or a case file. He was a young man with a story, with dreams, with people who loved him deeply.
Those who knew Cormani describe him as someone whose presence could light up a room. He carried himself with quiet strength and a spirit that reflected resilience. Whether spending time with family, sharing laughs with friends, or simply enjoying everyday moments, Cormani valued connection. He understood the importance of community and loyalty, and he cherished those closest to him.
At 25, life is meant to be unfolding — ambitions taking shape, goals becoming clearer, and opportunities expanding. Cormani stood at that very crossroads, with so much still ahead of him. His future was filled with possibilities that now remain heartbreakingly unrealized.
A Community in Grief
Roanoke Rapids and the greater Halifax County area have been shaken by this senseless act of violence. When a young life is taken, the impact extends far beyond immediate family. It ripples outward — through neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and friendships.
Community members are left asking why. They are left seeking understanding. But most of all, they are left grieving a life that mattered.
Vigils, prayers, and quiet conversations now fill the spaces once occupied by routine. Friends recount shared memories. Loved ones scroll through photographs and videos, holding tightly to every smile captured in time. In these moments, Cormani’s life — not just his death — becomes the focus.
Holding On to His Legacy
Though his time here was brief, Cormani’s life leaves a lasting imprint. He will be remembered for his personality, his relationships, and the love he gave and received. His name will continue to be spoken at family gatherings. His stories will be retold. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who refuse to let it fade.
For his family, the grief is profound. There are no easy answers. There is no quick healing. There is only the slow, tender process of mourning someone irreplaceable.
As the investigation continues, the community stands in solidarity with the Burnett family — offering support, prayers, and hope that justice will be served. But beyond justice, there is remembrance.
Cormani Percel Alston Burnett was 25 years old.
He was loved.
He was valued.
He mattered.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
May his family find comfort in one another.
And may his memory forever shine in the hearts of all who knew him.
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