ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Two men are dead after an early morning shooting in Elizabeth City. One of them was killed by a police officer.
Bystanders on N. Poindexter Street between E. Colonial Ave. and E. Elizabeth St. said the area's typically busy, but at 2 a.m. Saturday it was chaos.
That's when they heard gunshots. Police believe 33-year-old Bryan White shot 39-year-old Cory Revelle near a parking lot across from several bars and restaurants.
Several people in the area, who did not want to be identified, said after the first shooting White went down the street towards E. Colonial Ave. and at the same time an Elizabeth City police officer came up the street towards him.
The officer had been patrolling the area on foot when, police said, he heard the shooting. Police, and some bystanders, claim the officer called out for White to stop and drop a weapon.
The officer shot White. Additional officers arrived on scene and, police said, they worked to save the lives of the men before EMS arrived.
Both White and Revelle later died at the hospital.
"Three families tragically affected and forever changed: the family of Cory Revelle, the family of Bryan White, and the family of our officer and his extended ECPD family. We pray for those involved and their families," said Elizabeth City chief of police Phillip Webster.
At a press conference Saturday, Chief Webster didn't release the officer's name, but said he is a 14-year-veteran of the department. He confirmed Elizabeth City Police are looking into the first homicide and are conducting an internal affairs investigation. The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer's actions. Police didn't provide many details, but they said how many times the officer called out and whether White was pointing a gun at the officer is under investigation.
"It's our desire to be as transparent with the public and with you all as much as possible," said Chief Webster.
He added that this is the first time in at least 19 years an officer with the department has shot someone.
"The scar is forever, and so we are going to continue to do what we need to do to keep our city safe and take care of our officers and take care of our city," added Elizabeth City manager Montre Freeman.
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We don't know yet what started the shooting.
Chief Webster said the department plans to release the body camera footage as soon as possible.
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