Arrest made in Ash Street shooting
By John Joyce
Published in News on February 1, 2016 1:46 PM
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Valentine Morales Morales
Authorities have arrested a suspect in the deadly shooting Saturday afternoon at a Goldsboro vehicle repair shop, the Goldsboro Police Department said today.
Investigators say the victim and suspect are somehow related, but a language barrier is impeding parts of the investigation.
"They are related, but because there is a language barrier, we haven't been able to nail down how," Maj. Anthony Carmon said.
Hubanero Roberto Morales Morales, 22, 203 Greg Drive, died at the scene after being shot at his place of work -- the Ash Street Service Center at 3503 E. Ash St. -- following a fight with the suspect, according to a press release.
The suspect, later identified as Valentine Morales Morales, 32, of 100 Spring Drive in Dudley, was later captured at a convenience store in Stantonsburg.
"We had an indication that he was there," Carmon said.
Investigators have no yet been able to determine what lead to the fight between the two men. What is clear is bystanders broke up a fight between them, and the older of the two left the scene and later returned with a gun, according to the press release.
The victim was shot at least once, and was lying on his back in the work bay of the service center when police arrived. EMS workers brought in as soon as the area had been secured pronounced Morales dead on the scene.
Carmon said police have an idea of what lead up to the fight, but there are no concrete details to release at this time.
"They were both employees at one time," Carmon said "I believe the suspect was an ex-employee." he said.
After shooting the victim, Morales left in his own vehicle. About four hours after the shooting, deputies with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office took Morales into custody in Stantonsburg. Deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office assisted Wilson County with the apprehension, then brought Morales back to Wayne County to be turned over to the Goldsboro Police Department.
Morales is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail without bond on an open count of murder. He has a first appearance scheduled in Wayne County District Court today.
Carmon said the murder weapon has not yet been recovered.