Crime
Wellington Dickens, Previously Arrested Seven Times for Child Abuse and Other Offenses, Arrested Again for Allegedly Murdering His Own Children
ZEBULON, N.C. — A Johnston County man has been charged with four counts of murder after allegedly confessing to killing his children and leading authorities to human remains found inside a vehicle parked in his home’s garage.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Wellington Delano Dickens III, was taken into custody on Tuesday and is currently being held without bond at the Johnston County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office and court records.
Authorities say Dickens initially faced a single count of murder on Tuesday morning; however, three additional counts were filed later in the day after investigators uncovered further evidence at the scene.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Dickens called 911 on Monday evening, informing the operator that he had killed his children.
Deputies were immediately dispatched to the home, located on the outskirts of Zebulon, approximately 25 miles east of Raleigh.
When deputies arrived, they found Dickens’ 3-year-old son alive inside the residence, as the suspect had described.
However, Dickens also told responding deputies that four of his other children were deceased and that their remains were located in the trunk of a vehicle inside his garage.
Upon inspection, deputies discovered multiple bodies inside the vehicle’s trunk. Investigators reported that the remains appeared to have been there for an extended period of time.
According to arrest warrants, authorities believe the children were killed on May 1, 2024.
The victims have been identified as three of Dickens’ biological children, ages 6, 9, and 10, and his 18-year-old stepchild.
Arrest warrants for three of the victims confirm their ages, while the fourth warrant does not list a date of birth.
Dickens made his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, where a judge confirmed that he will be appointed legal counsel. As of Tuesday evening, the name of his attorney had not been listed in court documents.
Records show that Dickens had endured multiple personal tragedies in recent years.
His wife, Stephanie, died in April 2024, and court filings from her estate indicated that five children were living in their Zebulon home at the time. Additionally, Dickens’ father died in a 2023 vehicle crash in Lee County, North Carolina.
A relative, Charles Moore, who identified himself as Dickens’ great-uncle, told WRAL-TV that Dickens was an Iraq War veteran. Moore said he had not seen his nephew in about a year but that, during their last encounter, Dickens appeared to be doing well.
On Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement activity surrounded the family’s home. A police cruiser blocked off access to the street, and investigators from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) erected tents in the driveway as they processed the scene. The residence is located in a recently developed subdivision of one- and two-story homes, bordered by farmland and an old farmhouse near the entrance.
Neighbors described the family as quiet and withdrawn, particularly following the death of Dickens’ wife earlier this year. Miranda Dorta, who lives nearby, recalled seeing the children walking to and from the school bus, while another neighbor, Terry Fuller, occasionally mowed their lawn when the grass grew tall.
Fuller said the community, while relatively new, is close-knit and would have rallied to help if Dickens had reached out.
“I’ve noticed the kids haven’t been out playing for quite some time, but hadn’t put two and two together,” Fuller said. “And I woke up to this this morning. It’s pretty awful.”
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings. The sheriff’s office has not released a possible motive, but officials have described the case as one of the most disturbing and tragic incidents the county has seen in recent years.
Once a quiet farming town known for its tobacco heritage and railway stop, Zebulon has rapidly grown into a suburban community on the outskirts of the Raleigh-Durham area, now shaken by the magnitude of this crime.
Crime
Who Is the Hero Teacher, Threw a Phone at Gunman John J. Griffin II, Tackled Him, and Fought Back During the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting?
Another Unamed Hero in Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting: Teacher throwing phone at gunman Griffin J. John II who attacked , tackling him and fighting him.
Anyone Know Her Name? She Must Be Praised Just Like Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, sustained serious injuries during the deadly school shooting on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Drury suffered gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand and underwent surgery, according to the information shared about the incident.
As Drury begins what could be a lengthy recovery, new details have also emerged about the reported actions of another teacher who allegedly confronted the gunman during the attack. According to the account attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz during a press conference, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and fought back.
The teacher reportedly escaped the confrontation without physical injuries. Officials were said to have clarified that earlier information suggesting the teacher had been injured was incorrect.
Drury was among those injured in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. She sustained injuries to her left arm and right hand and required surgery.
Although the injuries were described as serious, the information provided indicates that she survived the operation. Her recovery may involve additional medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional support as she works to recover from the traumatic experience.
Her family, colleagues, students, and community members are hoping for her continued improvement and a successful recovery.
The shooting has left the school community dealing with grief, fear, and uncertainty. For those injured, the challenges extend beyond immediate medical care, as they and their loved ones face the psychological and emotional consequences of the violence.
Additional details attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz describe the actions of another Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman during the attack.
According to the account provided, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and physically fought back. The teacher was reportedly not injured, contrary to earlier information about the confrontation.
The teacher’s reported actions have drawn attention because confronting an armed attacker can involve extraordinary personal risk. However, the precise sequence of events and the extent to which the confrontation affected the outcome should be established through official statements and investigative findings.
The teacher’s identity has not been provided in the supplied information. Protecting that person’s privacy may be particularly important while the school community and those directly involved continue to process the incident.
The supplied account also identifies Kaylub Giamanco as the person who reportedly shot and killed the suspect during the incident.
The suspect has been identified in earlier reports as John J. Griffin II, a 16-year-old. However, the exact spelling and order of the suspect’s name should be confirmed against official law enforcement records before publication.
The reported intervention by Giamanco and the actions attributed to the unidentified teacher are separate aspects of the developing account. Their precise roles and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death should be described using verified statements from investigators.
As Becky Drury faces recovery, messages of support and prayers are being shared for her and everyone affected by the shooting.
Teachers and school staff often play a central role in supporting children, particularly during frightening and uncertain situations. The reported actions of Drury’s colleague have prompted expressions of appreciation, although the full circumstances should be confirmed before drawing definitive conclusions about what happened.
The emotional impact of a school shooting can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Survivors, families, students, educators, and first responders may need access to counseling, mental health resources, and other forms of assistance.
Community support may also help families and injured staff members manage medical costs, time away from work, and other practical challenges during recovery.
The Silver Rail Elementary School shooting has left the Bend community confronting profound loss and uncertainty. As families mourn those who died, attention is also turning to the survivors who must navigate the difficult process of healing.
Becky Drury’s recovery remains an important concern for her loved ones and colleagues. The unidentified teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman may also need emotional support after experiencing such a traumatic event, even without physical injuries.
Prayers and support are being extended to Becky Drury, her family, the teacher who reportedly intervened, and every student, family, and staff member affected by the tragedy.