Teacher Charged With Attempted Murder

Brenda Dean Wilkins, 42, and her boyfriend, John Moore, were breaking up when they argued outside a home at 538 Dexter St. in Rocky Mount on Monday. Wilkins shot Moore once, and witnesses said he ran down the street, knocking on doors for help.

"He was screaming, and he asked me to call the police," witness Frances Arrington said. "He was knocking on the door, saying, 'I've been shot. I've been shot. Would you call 911?'"

Wilkins followed Moore down the street to Arrington's doorstep, police said.

"I came back to the door and looked out. I never opened the door," Arrington said. "And that's when I saw him slumped on the steps, and this lady was standing in front of him holding a gun."

Arrington said she stepped back from the door and then heard four more shots.

Moore was remained hospitalized Thursday evening, but was listed in stable condition.

Wilkins, of 4950 Travis Road in Whitakers, was released from jail Thursday morning on a $19,000 bond. The school system suspended her with pay, a Nash- Rocky Mount Public Schools spokeswoman said.

District administrators declined to comment further on the case, noting the allegations are part of a criminal investigation.

Wilkins, a family and consumer science teacher, started work at Northern Nash in February 2007.

Diana Brothers and Jessie Bryant, who have two girls at Northern Nash, said the serious charges concern them.

"My kids told me about it, and I was surprised. I was shocked," Brothers said.

"I don't think she should have shot him and tried to kill him," Bryant said. "I really don't."