ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Investigators are searching for answers after three people, including a three-year-old, were killed Thursday evening.
The tragic incident happened in a residential area off Perry Street and Jordan Street.
Police say the victims are: 18-year-old Jaquan White of Elizabeth City, 39-year-old De’Shay Berry of Manteo, and 3-year-old Allura Pledger, also of Manteo.
The three were shot while inside a car just outside a home in the 400 block of Perry Street. A News 3 crew watched Thursday night as that car, with a shattered back windshield, was towed away.
Friday morning, bullet holes could be seen in a dark green car and a truck just across the street as well as buildings. Shortly after 1 p.m., the car was towed away from the scene.
As of late Friday morning, police had not confirmed whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the crimes.
Neighbor Shanice Jones said her 11-year-old son was home playing video games when the violence erupted.
"All morning, I’ve been thinking to myself, 'What if it was my baby? What if my son was coming to check the mail? What if he was taking out the trash... and it was him?'" said Jones. "I’ve been sick all morning. An innocent child that didn’t deserve any of it."
Jones says she is praying for the family and for the violence to end.
"We need to do better as a community," Jones stated.
Councilman Michael Brooks came to the scene Friday afternoon and questioned why there weren't crowds of people mourning and calling for justice.
"When a 3-year-old baby is murdered, and you know to me, this community should be flooded with people," said Brooks. "That’s a concern. It doesn’t matter if some of the people weren’t from here."
Police have not confirmed how the victims are related. News 3 spoke with a relative of the woman who said the family is too distraught to speak at this time.
Police were on the scene all Friday, and just before 6 p.m., they took down the crime scene tape and left the area.
Elizabeth City Police, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are working together to follow up on all leads.
Friday night, police said there were multiple shell casings recovered from the scene. They say this appears to be an isolated incident.
Additionally, police said three more people were hurt in the shooting:
- 40-year-old Roderick White of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was later released.
- 29-year-old James Harris of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was alter released.
- 20-year-old Terry Griffin of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center and later transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.
News 3 reporter Leondra Head spoke to the mother of 18-year old Jaquan White, who died in the shooting, but she didn't want to go on camera, saying it was still "too fresh for her." She said her son was an innocent bystander.
White's family is raising money for his burial. If you'd like to donate to the GoFundMe campaign, you can do so by clicking here.
This is still an active investigation.
Meanwhile, anyone with information is asked to call Elizabeth City Police at 252-335-4321 or the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.
