06/13/10 — Police look for suspect in shooting

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Police look for suspect in shooting

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on June 13, 2010 1:50 AM

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Andre Devon Weeks

Police now have a suspect in a shooting that a police spokesman describes as a "senseless argument" that escalated into homicide.

Andre Devon Weeks, 26, of Ever-green Avenue has an alleged violent past -- he was indicted just days ago on charges of assault inflicting serious bodily injury and accused of habitual felon status.

Late on Friday, police an-nounced they believe Weeks was also responsible for the shooting of Larry Donnell Mathis Jr., on Jan. 1.

Weeks, described as a black male, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 150 pounds, is sought on a warrant listing one open count of murder.

The shooting victim, Mathis, was 34 when he was shot outside an East Wilson Street residence in the early morning hours New Year's Day.

Neighbors had called 911 after hearing shots fired in the area.

When officers arrived, they found a large crowd gathered on East Woodrow Street, running parallel to East Wilson Street off N.C. 111.

Mathis was found unresponsive nearby in the 400 block of Wilson Street by Officer Earvin E. Howell, according to police reports at the time.

Mathis had a relatively minor criminal record. His most serious charge including an assault inflicting serious injury and various driving infractions.

Police Sgt. Chad Calloway, the department's spokes-man, said he did not believe Mathis and Weeks were friends, although they could have been acquainted with one another.

Calloway said police could determine no other motive than an argument, "no real reason that would warrant such an act."

"Being a police officer for the last 15 years in Goldsboro, I don't know him, (Mathis Jr.) is not a recognizable name," Calloway said. "I would agree that he pretty much stayed to himself, and was a normal everyday citizen -- not in the criminal realm at all."

Anyone with information about Weeks' whereabouts is asked to call Goldsboro police at 705-6572, or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 735-2255.