A 20-year-old man was fatally shot at a convenience store in Pitt County, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Police responded to the Speedway on Highway 43 and MacGregor Downs Road, just outside Greenville, after receiving reports of gunfire around 3:40 p.m. They discovered Taeshawn Gunter of Pintops, NC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel transported him to ECU Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have stated that they believe they have already interviewed the individual responsible for Gunter’s shooting. Although the investigation is ongoing, they indicated they would be consulting the district attorney to determine whether to charge the suspect with murder, according to WITN. As of Sunday, no charges have been filed, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. They emphasized that this was an isolated incident and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
This tragic event follows the death of a seven-year-old boy, Mason Jenkins, who was killed by a stray bullet in nearby Burlington, NC, just weeks earlier. Police reported that Mason was sitting outside his building when he was struck. Despite being airlifted to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
“I just want justice for my baby,” Mason’s mother, Ashley Welcher, tearfully told WXII12. “He was a sweet, precious little baby, you know, just happy, go lucky. He was just very loving. That was my baby, just taken way too soon.”
Police have since arrested two individuals in connection with the child’s death. Tremaine Armstrong, 18, of Burlington, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, while Kemontae Crosby, 21, of Graham, faces charges of “accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.”
On Sunday, neighbors at the Beaumont Avenue Apartments held a vigil for Mason, who had only lived in the complex for four months. “A lot of people really love Mason,” said Ashley. “You can’t help but love Mason. He just wanted to go outside and play and be a kid, and he couldn’t even do that.” To support Ashley and her two other children, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign.
Burlington Police Chief Alan Balog expressed his condolences, stating, “We are committed to holding those responsible for this crime accountable, and the investigation to gather every available fact is ongoing. Our community needs every person who saw what happened to step forward, do what’s right, and contact the police department.”
The Burlington Police Department is actively seeking information about the shooting, noting that there were over a dozen people present when the gunfire erupted. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500. Anonymous tips can also be made through Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100 or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Tips provided through Crimestoppers may be eligible for cash rewards.
Chief Balog added, “We need everyone’s help to gain the vital information to bring justice to the family of the 7-year-old that was killed in this incident.”