Four charged with gunning down Raleigh teen

Raleigh, N.C. — Four men, ranging in age from 17 to 29, face accusations that they gunned down a 16-year-old boy in Poole Road Thursday night, Raleigh police said.

Facing a charge of murder in the death of Darius Latrae Johnson are:

Floyd Clifton Creecy Jr., 29, of 8106 Cohosh Court
Alexander Leon Walton, 18, of 4704 Grand Cypress Court
Rodney Nigee Pledge Taylor, 19, of 5819 Spirit Court
Solister Lester, 17, of 722 St. George Road

Police said that two men approached and shot Johnson, an incoming junior at Enloe High School, as he and two friends were walking in the 2800 block of Poole Road around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Johnson died at WakeMed.

One of Johnson's friends called 911 after the shooting.

“They shot him. They were screaming, and I ran,” the caller said.

Family and friends gathered at Johnson's home Saturday night and walked together to the crime scene, where they held a candlelight vigil for the teen, who went by the nickname "Polo."

"One thing I can say about my cousin, he was very playful," said Camille Fitzpatrick. "He was just loved everywhere he went."

Police said that Johnson knew one of the men who shot him, but investigators haven't disclosed a motive in the case.

All four suspects were denied bond, placed in the Wake County jail and scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Court records indicate that Creecy faced assault charges in Baltimore and Lester had pending charges involving cocaine in Raleigh.

A funeral for Johnson is scheduled for Thursday at Mt. Pleasant Worship Center, 1424 Sawyer Road, at 10 a.m.

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Latest Comments

"Yes, we don't have enough people solving their problems with guns. We need even more drunk, stoned, angry and mentally unstable people walking the streets with guns ready to use them because someone looked at them wrong" NotFromHere

Since you are "notfromhere" I'll give you a little heads up. The drunk, stoned, unstable people on the street ALREADY HAVE GUNS. It's the sober, stable family people that need protection from the idyat that thought you looked at him wrong, or decided he was entitled to your property.

If a few more homeowners would take care of intruders as they should be taken care of, there might be a little respect for other people's property, and just maybe, they would stay home at night instead of invading someone's home.

beachboater
June 27, 2011 3:04 p.m.

"We are rapidly reaching the point where everyone needs to be carrying a gun at all times."

Yes, we don't have enough people solving their problems with guns. We need even more drunk, stoned, angry and mentally unstable people walking the streets with guns ready to use them because someone looked at them wrong.

If you actually read the Constitution, it was never written to protect people walking around on the streets with guns. Handguns as we have today didn't even exist in Revolutionary times. The laws we have regarding handguns today are based on the desire of the NRA and gun manufacturers to protect their source of revenue and their success at financing politicians.

NotFromHere
June 27, 2011 1:23 p.m.

Sorry for the loss of such a young kid....BUT, we do not know how many triggers were pulled, but nevertheless, the rest will be charged with being GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION! All 4 may not have done the killing but they must know something about it.

ANGELLUV
June 27, 2011 12:48 p.m.

We are rapidly reaching the point where everyone needs to be carrying a gun at all times.

beachboater
June 27, 2011 11:42 a.m.

Do you really think that all four of the men killed that kid. Hundreds of people go to jail each year for crimes they did not commit. Four men should not be in jail right now. The justice system is failing. Billo if you think that the answer is to give them all the needle I pray for your soul. You really should think about what you say, before you speak or post in public boards.

clyde6978hunter
June 27, 2011 11:28 a.m.