Man opens fire at The Pines
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on September 16, 2012 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
A LaGrange man was arrested late Friday evening for allegedly shooting up the inside of The Pines of Goldsboro.
A LaGrange man was arrested late Friday evening after allegedly firing shots at a local retirement home.
Waylon Britt Thompson, 27, of 254 Beston Road, was charged with felony breaking and entering, firing into an occupied structure and several counts of assault with a deadly weapon after he was identified as the man who broke out the front door glass at Emeritus at the Pines of Goldsboro and fired a shotgun multiple times.
According to a press release issued by the Goldsboro Police Department, Britt was looking for his ex-girlfriend, 25-year-old Lanell Merryfield, as the incident unfolded at around 11 p.m.
When members of the GPD and Wayne County Sheriff's Office arrived, Thompson, the report said, has already fled the scene.
He was arrested "a short time later" and placed in the Wayne County Jail under a $60,000 secured bond.
Trishia Capps, executive director at The Pines, said no one was injured in the shooting and released a statement Saturday thanking first responders for their efforts.
"At approximately 11 p.m. on Friday ... an armed man broke into Emeritus at the Pines of Goldsboro, a senior living community, in search of his former girlfriend who is a staff member," the statement read. "The staff immediately called 911. ... The police have apprehended the gunman and have allowed staff back into the community and are providing on-site security throughout the evening. No residents had to be evacuated during this occurrence and no injuries were sustained.
"As always, employee and resident safety and security ... is our top priority. We commend our staff for responding quickly and efficiently, and would also like to thank the Goldsboro Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's (Office) for their quick response."