Crime
2 Killed After Domestic-Related Shooting in Lenoir County, Suspect Ross Smith Charged with Murder
Lenoir County, N.C. — A second victim has died following a violent domestic-related shooting that occurred in Lenoir County on the morning of May 2, prompting authorities to upgrade charges against the suspect to include an additional count of first-degree murder.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Calvin Carlyle Kennion, 24, of Pink Hill, succumbed to his injuries at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.
As a result, Ross Jovian Smith, 35, of Kinston, will now face two felony counts of first-degree murder, in addition to several other serious charges.
Authorities say the incident unfolded shortly after 8:30 a.m. at a residence on the 100 block of Carl Ball Lane.
Investigators allege that Ross Smith forcibly entered the home and opened fire, fatally shooting his estranged wife, Latoya Marie Smith, 33, and critically injuring Calvin Kennion, who was also inside the residence.
Latoya Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Kennion was initially airlifted from a landing zone in Jackson Heights to ECU Health Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries.
A dog inside the residence was also shot during the incident. The animal survived but sustained injuries.
Following the shootings, Smith fled the scene in a black Chrysler sedan.
With assistance from the Kinston Police Department, Lenoir County deputies located the abandoned vehicle on the 1400 block of Stroud Avenue in Kinston.
Smith, however, was not inside.
After a multi-agency search effort, Smith was located on foot and taken into custody without incident near the N.C. 903/N.C. 11 intersection in Pitt County at approximately 11:30 a.m.
According to Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers, Ross Smith is being charged with the following:
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- One count of attempted first-degree murder (now subject to modification)
- Felony breaking and entering
- Felony animal cruelty
Additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses. Smith is currently being held without bond at the Lenoir County Detention Center.
He has not yet appeared before a magistrate.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident. More details will be released as they become available.
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.”