Wilson police search for clues in homicide

Wilson, N.C. — Wilson police are investigating the shooting death of a Raleigh man found Wednesday morning inside a car parked at apartment complex.

Authorities responded to a call at Beacon Pointe Apartments in the 1900 block of Lipscomb Road East about 9:45 a.m. and found Ronnie Earl Griffin, 29, of 3824 Old Coach Road in Raleigh. He was inside a car and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Emergency workers tried to save him, police said, but Griffin died at the scene.

Darden Middle School, located in the 1600 block of Lipscomb Road East, and Barnes Elementary School, on Martin L. King Parkway, were put on lockdown as a precaution after authorities responded to the call, but authorities said there were no security threats to the schools.

Wilson Early College Academy, housed inside Wilson County Community College on Herring Avenue East, was also locked down for about an hour, officials with the school said.

Residents gathered at the apartment complex at lunchtime, some hugging each other and many speaking with police.

Justice Hawkins, who lives yards away from the shooting, said the crime was too close for comfort. She said she heard gunshots outside her window and saw the victim as she looked outside.

“(He was) just laying in the car and I was like, ‘Oh my God. Somebody got shot,’” she said.

Hawkins said she’s worried about her child being around “all this negativity.”

Another neighbor, Nicole Pittman, said it was disturbing to know bullets were flying in a place where so many children live and play.

“Real nerve-wracking,” she said. “They need to find somebody doing this.”

The homicide is the second in Wilson in two days. Police on Monday responded to an emergency call about 1 a.m. at an apartment at 3510 Ward Boulevard and found resident Eric Tyquan Delonte Williams, 22, with a gunshot wound. Williams died a short time later.

Police said the two shootings, which happened about three miles apart, are not related.

Anyone with information about either crime is asked to call Wilson police at 252-399-2323.

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Latest Comments

I used to live in Clayton and enjoyed Sunday drives to Wilson before gas got so high! It seemed a charming town in 1993. What happened?

storchheim
October 24, 2012 5:05 p.m.

"Well, I've lived in Wilson for 12 years and was at Walmart last night." - Rodneyg1

I went to Walmart a few nights ago around 1 AM and I was verbally assaulted by a group of early 20 something guys who were hanging out in the parking lot.

NotFromHere
October 24, 2012 4:42 p.m.

As a life long Wilson resident, I have to say I am not afraid to go many places in my town. I often grocery shop at Walmart at night and never feel afraid. The mall has little to offer, but when I worked there years ago security was never a threat to me. However, I can tell you there is no way I'd get out of my car on Lipscomb Rd near MLK. It is just not a good area. And Wilson Woods (where the other shooting occurred) is not all bad, but you should definitely be aware of your surroundings there. It seems that whole area has gone downhill lately. We are just a town. Violence occurs everywhere, but if you use common sense you can keep yourself safe. This didn't happen at WalMart or Target-- it happened in a place I wouldn't get out of my car.

lovingmy4kiddos
October 24, 2012 3:41 p.m.

i live in Rmt. and work in Wilson, I'll take Wilson anytime.Bad people are everywhere,but at least Wilson"s leaders are doing something about it. Rmt leader's are to busy scratching each others backs

Its me again
October 24, 2012 3:28 p.m.

how many violent criminals are Obama supporters. I would guess 90%. -sweetsea2"

What an extremely narrow-minded comment. I guess folks like you will dig deep and find any element to blame our President for. I find the comment very ironic as well...especially since liberals are often called tree-huggers which would indicate non-violence. These murders have nothing to do with politics, and considering the area more likely have to do with some sort of illegal economic issue. Although, statistically speaking Republican administrations are “risk factors for lethal violence,” and that the only reason they have not produced “disastrously high epidemic levels” of suicides and homicides is that Democrats have repeatedly undone their damage.

workinghuman33
October 24, 2012 2:42 p.m.