One dead, three injured in Rocky Mount assault

Rocky Mount police said they went to a triplex at 723 Branch St., near Cokey Road, about 12:30 a.m. after someone reported an aggravated assault in progress. They found two injured men, who were taken to Nash General Hospital for treatment.

A short time later, two more people arrived at Nash General with injuries from the assault.

Police said Devonta Eburg, 18, of Rocky Mount, died at the hospital. Two others, ages 21 and 26, were taken to Vidant Hospital in Greenville, where they were treated and released.

The fourth patient, age 17, was treated at Nash General and released.

Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and seeing officers stopping a car riddled with bullet holes, but police have only classified the case as an aggravated assault.

No arrests have been made, and police spent Friday canvassing the area and distributing fliers requesting that anyone who has observed suspicious activity in the area in the past two days to contact police at 252-972-1411 or Crime Stoppers at 252-977-1111.

Since January, at least seven young men between the ages of 12 and 19 have been involved in violent crimes in Rocky Mount.

In the past, people have pointed to gang violence, and neighbors think it's also to blame for this most recent homicide. Police say they are investigating that possibility.

"We constantly pray for this neighborhood," said Sarah Wiggins, who lives less than a block away from Friday's homicide.