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Vigil held for 15-year-old girl killed in Goldsboro shooting; 5 other teens out of hospital

A 15-year-old girl was killed and five others were hospitalized Wednesday after a shooting in Goldsboro.
Posted 2023-04-12T23:34:44+00:00 - Updated 2023-04-14T13:38:30+00:00
15-year-old girl killed was kind-hearted, family says

Family members on Thursday identified the teenage girl killed Wednesday in a backyard shooting as Joyonna Pearsall. She was 15.

Loved ones said Pearsall was going to turn 16 on May 8. She was a 10th grade student at Calvary Love Christian School and had dreams of becoming a hair stylist.

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers with the Goldsboro Police Department responded to a home at 112 N. Leslie St., where witnesses said a pool party for teenagers was going on at the time.

Witnesses report seeing more than 100 scattering at rapid gunfire. Two witnesses estimated as many as 50 rounds of gunfire.

According to Goldsboro police, officers found five gunshot victims were between the ages of 15 and 19. Three were transported to the hospital, and Pearsall died at the scene.

WRAL News learned on Friday all five teenagers are out of the hospital.

Two other teenagers who were injured in the shooting drove themselves to the hospital.

As of Thursday, the surviving victims remain in the hospital.

Family members pay homage to Joyonna Pearsall

Family members say the energetic 15-year-old loved styling hair, dancing, cooking and volunteering for a feeding ministry.

"She was a joy," said Pearsall's aunt, Maria Bell. "She had a beautiful smile. She was like a butterfly. She was always positive."

Just 10 minutes before the shooting, she interacted with Stephen Diggs who says he is homeless.

“I was thirsty," Diggs said. "She said, 'I will go get your something to drink.' And I said, ‘Nah, I’m straight. Thank you.'

"I walked off and that was it, and the next thing I know, the shooting happened and I see a person on the ground and I was like ‘oh, my God.’”

Family members say Pearsall was at a spring break pool party at this home on North Leslie Street when a fight turned violent.

Diggs estimated between 20 and 30 shots.

“It hurts," Diggs said. "It’s innocent people who are falling victim to other people’s stupidity.”

Family members on Thursday identified the teenage girl was killed Wednesday in a backyard shooting as Joyonna Pearsall, 15.
Family members on Thursday identified the teenage girl was killed Wednesday in a backyard shooting as Joyonna Pearsall, 15.

Pearsall's cousin, Grace Johnson, said another cousin was shot three years ago. He was only 16.

"Something has to be done about the gun violence," Johnson said. "We are outraged, broken-hearted ... to see a mother cry like that ... it breaks my soul."

On Thursday, investigators returned to the scene, scouring the area for evidence.

“The city is small," Johnson said. "It’s no reason for everyone running around killing each other. It’s got to stop. It’s got to stop.”

Johnson said the family is large, many of them activists in the Goldsboro community, and want justice for her cousin. She urged anyone with information to call police.

She didn't know why the teenagers were at the house but said it was a spring break gathering and the teenagers were having fun before someone started shooting.

“We have to get these parents to get themselves together and start being accountable to where your children are," Bell said.

Vigil held for 15-year-old killed, five other teens injured in shooting

Family, friends and the Goldsboro community marched Thursday evening near where the shooting happened.

Dozens of people participated in the march.

"I’m hoping that this will bring people together," said vigil organizer Jomo Jones. "Sometimes, it takes one event to make a change.

"And, I’m praying this is the change that’s going to change Goldsboro and the climate in our city."

Goldsboro Mayo David Ham also attended Thursday's vigil to show support to Pearsall's family.

"We’re seeing more and more young people have possession of firearms, and they are using those firearms against each other," Ham said. "We want to try and do something we can to bring a close to that."

Ham said police are working to come up with the name of the people responsible for Wednesday's shooting.

Residents also expressed their frustration about the reoccurring gun violence among youth.

"I had to pull over because of the range of sadness, then I got angry," said a community activist. "Less than two weeks ago, I just had an operation panel talking about the violence; it's not a matter of if but a matter of when these things will happen in our community."

Goldsboro police release 911 calls from the shooting

On Thursday, Goldsboro police released the 911 calls from the shooting.

"There was a party going on with about 150 kids," one caller said. "They are shooting. People are running everywhere, and I got my store locked down. You all need some help out here, bad."

The panic is palpable in the calls to 911.

"Please come," another caller said. "My best friend got shot."

Other victims recovering

The other five victims are in stable condition at UNC Health Wayne, which previously had an active lockdown due to the victims being there.

A spokesperson for the hospital said visitors were restricted and screened by law enforcement before entering the facility. The lockdown, which has been lifted, is standard process when an incident involves a weapon-related crime.

Officers are investigating what led up to the shooting and who was responsible. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is assisting them.

Police have not released any information about potential suspects of persons of interest.

Resources:

If the recent gun violence is causing you to feel anxious or even depressed and you would like to talk to someone, WRAL has added a GET HELP link.

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