Crime
Mass shooting in downtown Suffolk left two people dead and three others injured
Suffolk, VA – A tragic shooting incident occurred on East Washington Street in Suffolk on Thursday night, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to three others.
Suffolk Police announced that they would be holding a press conference at 2 PM on Friday to provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Officers were dispatched to the 800 block of East Washington Street at 11:25 PM following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they discovered multiple individuals had been shot. Suffolk Fire & Rescue responded to the scene and provided emergency medical care.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
William Goodman Jr., age 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. Demonte Tillery, age 30, was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Three additional victims were taken to the hospital for treatment, and their current condition remains unknown.
Local residents, who declined to be identified, described the gunfire as sounding like a “warzone.” While an exact count of gunshots is difficult to determine, estimates suggest several dozen rounds were fired.
As of now, there is no information available regarding a suspect in the Suffolk shooting. The condition of the three hospitalized victims will continue to be monitored.
Tokio, N.D. – A North Dakota man has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, and offenses in Indian Country following a deadly shooting on the Spirit Lake Reservation last week, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court on Monday, March 10.
Johnnie Jay Gaking is accused of fatally shooting his adult sister, Tiana Lenoir, and her 3-year-old daughter, Lokia, and critically injuring his mother, Kristy Lee, at a residence near Tokio, North Dakota, on March 4.
According to court documents, law enforcement responded to the residence and discovered Lenoir and her young daughter deceased from gunshot wounds.
Kristy Lee was found alive but suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
She was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment.
A paramedic at the scene reported that Kristy Lee drifted in and out of consciousness and, at one point, stated that her son had shot her, the complaint alleges.
After the shooting, Gaking allegedly fled the scene and later arrived at another home near Tokio, where he reportedly stabbed himself multiple times before fleeing again in a blue Ford Focus.
Residents at the second home told Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) agents that Gaking appeared disoriented and displayed what they described as “crazy eyes.”
According to the complaint, Gaking told them, “[My sister] is dead, they’re all dead, I didn’t do it.” The residents observed fresh blood on his chest and abdomen and suspected he had inflicted stab wounds on himself.
Law enforcement apprehended Gaking shortly after the incident, and he was transported to a hospital for treatment.
During an interview with authorities, Gaking allegedly claimed that men in ski masks had been stalking him and that they had forced him to kill his family.
He also denied stabbing himself, stating that he did not know who was responsible since they were wearing ski masks, according to the complaint.
A family member who lived with the victims told investigators that Gaking had been behaving erratically before the shooting.
The relative stated that Gaking had been talking about being chased by men in ski masks, had not been sleeping, and appeared to be “tripping.”
Earlier in the day, he had an outburst and allegedly threatened, “If my family doesn’t believe me that people are trying to kill me, then I’ll kill all of you (expletive) first,” the complaint says.
The same family member also reported seeing Gaking waving a gun before hearing gunshots.
He recalled Gaking allegedly saying, “You’re next, uncle,” before fleeing for his life.
Gaking remains in custody, and a hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Grand Forks.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.