GREENSBORO, N.C. — The 19-year-old charged with killing a beloved Greensboro grandmother and Speedway employee faced a judge on Thursday.
Avion Bell is accused of shooting 72-year-old Patricia Grant at the gas station on Battleground Avenue on Thursday, July 1.
Bell appeared virtually before a judge in his first court appearance. The prosecution said last Thursday, Bell pulled out a gun and demanded cash at the convenience store. Grant reportedly said no, and was shot.
A witness, who prosecutors said is a regular customer at that gas station, was in the bathroom and heard the entire exchange.
Witnesses and surveillance video led officers to Bell's mom's house on Martha's Place. Police said Bell's mom was confrontational with them, denying Bell lived there.
Police obtained a search warrant and found a handgun in the home. Officials said the gun was confirmed to be the murder weapon.
Police also found a stolen cell phone. Investigators said there were social media videos of Bell in the same distinctive green winter coat he wore when he allegedly murdered Grant.
Greensboro police said Bell and his brother have known gang associations. Officers are familiar with the pair due to who they hang around.
Bell has a criminal record dating back to 2019. That year he was convicted of a string of robberies and assaulting a school employee.
Bell is charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He faces 28 years in prison and possible death if convicted of the first-degree murder charge.
He is being held at the Guilford County Jail without bond.
For those who want to remember Grant, there will be a candlelight vigil at the Speedway at 8 p.m. Friday.
