Man shot, killed outside Rocky Mount home

Two unidentified men shot and killed Emmanuel Robert Gent, of Rocky Mount, outside a house at 1414 Branch St. around 10 p.m., police said.

The men also assaulted Tavarius Monquele Alston, 26, police said. He managed to run inside his home, where his wife had just put their children to bed, and a relative called 911. Paramedics treated him at the scene for minor injuries.

Multiple bullet holes scarred the brick house, but Alston's wife said no one inside the home was injured.

Police had only vague descriptions of the two gunmen, last seen running from Branch Street toward Clark Street. One man was wearing a red bandanna over his face, a white T-shirt and black pants. The second was wearing a black shirt, pants and shoes.

"We're hoping that there is someone out there that saw something. It's a pretty vibrant community. There's a lot of people out moving that time of the evening," said police spokesman Cpl. Michael Lewis.

Officers did not comment on a motive. No arrests have been made.

"We heard a whole lot of bullets being fired. It sounded like a shotgun and a handgun was shooting, probably about eight times. Then, we heard the police come," said neighbor Lizzie Chisolm.

Gent's death marks the sixth homicide in Rocky Mount this year. Last year, 12 people were killed in the city, up from 11 in 2010 and seven in 2009.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Rocky Mount police at 252-972-1411, Detective Clay Wilder at 252-972-1454 or Capt. Laura Fahnestock at 252-972-1681 or send an email to Clay.Wilder@rockymountnc.gov or Laura.Fahnestock@rockymountnc.gov.

Anonymous tips can also be given by calling Twin County Crime Stoppers at 252-977-1111 or emailing crimestoppers@rockymountnc.gov.