Victim shot in projects
By John Joyce and Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 24, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
A large tarp covers the scene of what Goldsboro police say was a homicide early this morning on Seymour Drive. Reports indicated that one person was killed late Wednesday night. Investigators did not immediately release the name of the victim.
They had been speculating about who was behind the large, red tarp for more than an hour -- the Seymour Drive residents who, a few at a time, were awakened to news that police were investigating a fatal shooting in their neighborhood.
But when Goldsboro police Capt. Teresa Cox approached a group of women at just before 9 this morning, their fears were realized.
And in an instant, tears fell.
Investigators will not yet identify, to the press, the victim of a fatal shooting in the Seymour Homes community early this morning.
But judging by that group's reaction to the news Cox delivered to them nearly two hours after first responders arrived at 414 Seymour Drive, the decedent was someone they loved.
Their screams could be heard by those standing blocks away.
Bystanders witnessed one of the women collapse and break down.
"Jesus no," she screamed. "Not my baby. Not my baby. Jesus, not my baby."
And another fell into the arms of the man standing next to her.
"No," she said, losing herself in tears. "It can't be. No. It's not him. No."
The community is demanding that the violence stop, but witnesses are slow to come forward with information -- one of the reasons crimes like these go unsolved, police say.
One man said that he did not know who pulled the trigger, but if he did," it sure wouldn't be a problem handling it, that's my little cousin."
Witnesses said they heard what they thought were shots around midnight. They said they called 911 at that time.
They claim there was no response.
Dispatch supervisor Chris Barnes said a call was received by 911 at midnight and that a Goldsboro police unit was dispatched to the scene.
Repeated calls made to Goldsboro police Chief Jeff Stewart to confirm that a dispatch to the police was made at midnight and that a unit responded at that time were not returned by press time.
Goldsboro police are continuing to process the scene.