Accused murderer arrested
By Lee Williams
Published in News on May 1, 2007 1:56 PM
Accused killer Kelvin Buffalo Jr. uttered no words and gave no resistance as he was led out of a patrol car in handcuffs as a swarm of Goldsboro police officers and investigators surrounded him Monday.
Dressed in a black T-shirt, blue jeans and sporting a new haircut, the 18-year-old ducked his head away from the news camera as he was ushered into the Goldsboro Police Department to answer a murder charge.
Buffalo, who is accused of shooting Sharon Nichole Sheppard in a parking lot near McIntyre Funeral Home on Thursday, was arrested at 903 S. Andrews St. about 3 p.m. Monday without incident.
Ms. Sheppard had come to attend the funeral of 23-year-old Raheim Kornegay, who was shot and killed on April 22 at her apartment. Ms. Sheppard and Kornegay were dating and shared an 8-month-old son, Rahkeim. They also had children from previous relationships.
Ms. Sheppard, a 28-year-old mother of four, was reportedly shot seven times as hundreds poured out of the funeral home, officials said.
The murder has rocked many people in the city.
"Naturally. People can see themselves at a funeral," Wayne County District Attorney Branny Vickory said. "I can understand the community is concerned because everyone goes to a funeral. It's an emotional time."
Some officials were relieved, but not surprised, when they heard the Sheppard murder suspect had been captured.
"I knew they would catch him and they would catch him soon," Goldsboro Mayor Al King said. "I have complete faith in the police officers. I see their reports and I know they are proficient in catching criminals."
King lauded the police for arresting the suspect in just four days.
"We've got some bad people out there, but we have some very good police officers who are out there keeping us safe," he said. "And they're doing a good job."
Hundreds of mourners were leaving McIntyre Funeral Home after attending Kornegay's memorial service at about 12:35 p.m., when someone opened fire on Ms. Sheppard.
Several people who know the Kornegay family said the shooting was an act of retaliation. Ms. Sheppard was present when Kornegay was fatally shot at her apartment at 602 Courtyard Circle.
Kornegay's death occurred just two days after child protective services workers removed Ms. Sheppard's four children from the home. The action was taken after officials received a report that guns were inside of the apartment, family members said.
Police said Sheppard was a person of interest in the case, however, no charges had been filed against her.
Buffalo has an extensive arrest record. He was released from prison two months ago after serving an eight-month sentence for fleeing authorities in Lenoir County. He also was convicted of felony assault in 2004.
During that same year, he was accused of shooting then 39-year-old Rudolph V. Kelly of Dudley twice over the victim's car. Buffalo was 16 at the time. The disposition of the case was not immediately available at presstime.
Buffalo's first appearance is scheduled for today. Sheriff's officials said they plan to step up security at the courthouse as an extra precaution.