Two fatal shootings in Rocky Mount hours apart kill young father, woman inside her home

People living near both shooting scenes said they’re starting to feel more at-risk in their neighborhoods.

The man who lost his life was Rodrick Battle, 24, an aspiring rapper. Battle leaves behind two young children, a boy and a girl.

“He was a young, talented rap artist," said Raegina Battle, Rodrick Battle's mother. "He wasn’t a bad child, stayed to himself, didn’t get in trouble and worked hard for his two kids.

"They’re now left behind with a single mother to raise them. He also had six siblings who loved him dearly, as well as myself, his mother. We will help my son’s legacy live on.”

Monday night, 18-year-old Ronnie Slade was arrested and charged for killing Battle and injuring 19-year-old Tyler Frink.He was charged with one count of First Degree Murder and one count of Attempted First Degree Murder.

Slade was remanded to the Edgecombe Detention facility with no bond.

A spokesperson for the police department told WRAL News that investigators were still looking into the events leading up to the shooting.

“We should be more together,” Deborah Mcknight said. “Loving each other, doing what we can for one another, instead of all this violence, it’s just getting out of hand.”

Mcknight lives right next to the entrance to the park. She didn’t see or hear the shooting, but days later, she’s still feeling the effects of violence practically at her doorstep.

“It’s frightening. You can’t come out of your house, the children can’t really play because you just don’t know what may happen,” Mcknight said. “And we shouldn’t have to live shuttered-up.”

While this shooting happened out in the open in Rocky Mount, that wasn’t the case with a different murder that took place just hours later

1 killed, 1 injured in shooting at Rocky Mount park

One of the bullets hit Lashawn Evans, 44, who lived inside. She died at the hospital that night.

Ray Ward was in his home across the street with his wife and grandson when the gunshots rang out.

“When we heard the shots, I know what I did,” Ward said. “I jumped off the bed and got down, and next thing I know they were in the other room doing the same thing.”

Woman dies after shots fired inside Rocky Mount home

Investigators said Evans’ boyfriend was inside the house with her when the shooting happened, and they believe the shooter targeted the home.

However, Ward said that didn’t make him feel any safer.

“That bullet could have came anywhere,” Ward said. “I didn’t care for it because I’ve got a grandson around, he might be outside playing.

“It could have been in the daytime, he could have been riding his bike down the street,” he continued. “Folks don’t care no more.”