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A North Carolina man was arrested for allegedly fatally shooting a 7-year-old girl on Tuesday three hours after he was released from jail.

Shaquille Marshon Francis, 26, is accused of firing the shot that struck Aaliyah Norris in the head as the little girl was inside a car in Forest City, police said.

Aaliyah was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but by Thursday she had died, police announced.

Police were tipped off by community members that Francis, of Forest City, was the suspect. He was arrested Wednesday and initially slapped with several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill.

After Aaliyah died, Francis’ charges were upgraded to murder, police said.

Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy told WLOS that Francis had been released from jail Tuesday just three hours before he allegedly shot Aaliyah.

Forest City Dunbar Elementary School, which Aaliyah attended, mourned the youngster’s death in a Facebook post.

“The Forest City – Dunbar family is incredibly saddened at the loss of one of our students Aaliyah Norris,” the statement read.

“Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.”

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