Crime
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old Alfred Hale, Dunbar High School Student in Dayton
An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Alfred Hale, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio.
Dayton police announced on Monday that a 23-year-old suspect was taken into custody following an extensive investigation that utilized advanced technological resources.
According to online jail records, Julius Maurice Williamson Jr., 23, was arrested by Dayton police on the morning of Saturday, April 6.
He is currently being held on suspicion of murder and a parole violation, though police have not yet formally released the suspect’s name or filed official charges.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 4, prompting a response from Dayton officers and medics to 27 S. Jefferson Street around 7:23 a.m.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered Hale suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, the teen tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims expressed sorrow over the loss, calling the incident a “senseless event” and emphasizing the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce violence.
“Incidents like this are exactly why we are involving the community in reducing violence and building a peaceful city,” Mayor Mims stated. “We have zero tolerance for violence in our neighborhoods, downtown, and across the city.”
Dayton Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence also issued a heartfelt statement following Hale’s death:
“The Dayton Public School District is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a 12th-grade student at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Alfred Hale was a valued member of both the Dunbar family and the broader Dayton Public Schools community. He will be greatly missed by students, staff, and all who knew him.”
Dr. Lawrence added that a crisis support team was immediately deployed to the high school on Friday and will continue to be available to assist students in coping with the tragedy.
He also urged students in need of support outside school hours to contact the Montgomery County 24/7 Crisis Support Line at 833-580-2255.
The superintendent further shared that he would be visiting the Hale family personally, reiterating the school district’s commitment to working with the city and local organizations to address the root causes of youth violence.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Dayton Police.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”