CRIME & SAFETY

Late Tuesday night, a drive-by shooting took place on Smyrna Road in Whiteville, resulting in one person suffering a minor injury to his arm. It was reported that the victim found himself caught up in the incident happening nearby the 2600 block of Smyrna Road around 11 p.m, where shots were fired from a passing vehicle.

WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) - Deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2600 block of Smyrna Road in Whiteville on Tuesday, Sept. 19, after receiving a report involving a gunshot wound. According to the incident report provided by the sheriff’s office, a vehicle reportedly drove by the...

Weldon Boyd, operator of Buoys on the Boulevard, has not been charged. The Solicitor’s Office is asking for a state review of case.

No one was injured when an armed woman robbed the Pireway Dollar General store Monday night. Deputies were called to the store in the 18000 block of Swamp Fox Highway at 8:55 p.m., according to the report. The sheriff’s office said that a black female, dressed in black clothing, drew a handgun and demanded cash.

PIREWAY, N.C. (WECT) - The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating following a robbery at a Dollar General near Pireway. According to the incident report provided by the sheriff’s office, the incident took place just before 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, at the Dollar General located at 16015 Swamp Fox Highway E.

Arrested for Assault for pointing a gun, Awaiting Sentencing By Courts. If any person shall point any gun or pistol at any person, either in fun or otherwise, whether such gun or pistol be loaded or not loaded, he shall be guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor. Photo quality responsibility...

Two incidents occurred in Whiteville, North Carolina this week. In the first incident, a detainee named Mhalik Graham was charged with resisting an officer and misdemeanor escape from a local jail after attempting to escape while another inmate was overdosing. Graham was already in jail for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. In the second incident, over 200 lottery tickets worth approximately $6,250 were stolen from a Speedway gas station. No arrests have been made in connection to this case.

This week in Columbus County, North Carolina, several incidents occurred that raised concerns for public safety. These incidents include a shooting in Evergreen, a murder in Chadbourn, a shooting in Tabor City, an attempted jailbreak, a shooting in the Loris area, and a vehicle death in Chadbourn. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these incidents and taking appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the community.

Two incidents occurred in Chadbourn, North Carolina this week. In the first incident, Cory McDougal was indicted for involuntary manslaughter after striking and killing Connell Faulk with his vehicle. McDougal initially fled the scene but was later arrested. In the second incident, Tyquise Baker was found guilty of killing Julius Miller and a woman at 545 Dessie Road in 2021. Baker was sentenced to life in prison plus additional months for first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. These incidents have raised concerns about public safety in Chadbourn.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has released details regarding a recent shooting. Deputies responded to a gun shot wound on Smyrna Road in Whiteville on September 19th. Israel Coker reported a vehicle drove by the property while he was outside and fired multiple...

The funeral of the North Carolina man killed in the exchange of gunfire will be Saturday in his hometown. The shooting happened near S.C. 9.

Cory McDougal was indicted for involuntary manslaughter by a grand jury Thursday . McDougal, 51 struck and killed Connell Faulk on South Wilkes Street on June 16, 2022, according to Chadbourn Police. McDougal fled the scene of the crash and was arrested for fleeing a fatal crash. Faulk, 47, was...

EVERGREEN, N.C. (WECT) - The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office released details on Friday, Sept. 15, concerning the arrest of a Nakina man in relation to an Evergreen shooting. According to the incident report, just after 9:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 33-year-old Joshua David Zemaitis shot at a home...

Tyquise Baker from Columbus County has been given a life sentence, along with an extra 33 to 52 months. This was announced by District Attorney Jon David on Wednesday. This sentencing is a result of a shooting and murder incident in 2021.

More felony charges have been filed against Mhalik Graham after he allegedly tried to escape the county jail while another inmate was overdosing. Warrants show that Graham, 25, was charged with resisting an officer and misdemeanor escape from a local jail. Graham was already in jail under a secured bond for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of murder. Laquilia Lynn McKenzie, 29, of Bladenboro was arrested Wednesday for the murder of Edward Lacy Sr. She is currently being held at Bladen County Detention Center under a secured bond. At...

Two suspects are in jail after they led Bladen and Robeson deputies on a high speed chase that endangered school buses and children. Bryan Austin Potts Freeman, 25, of Lumberton, and Taylar Nicole Bryan, 22, of Clarkton were held under secured bonds. Freemen is charged with driving while impaired, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver opiates, maintaining a vehicle for drug purposes, felony fleeing to elude arrest, drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon. His bond was $52,000.

WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) - Over 200 lottery tickets were stolen from a Speedway gas station recently, according to a Whiteville Police Department incident report. The report says the crime “larceny by employee” was reported on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and involved 233 tickets worth a total of about $6,250.

Bladen County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating a homicide that took place on Twisted Hickory Road, Bladenboro. Deputies arrived at the scene in response to a shooting reported early this morning. Upon arrival, they discovered 51-year-old Edward Lacy Sr deceased. The investigation is currently ongoing, with no new details available at this time. The Sheriff's Office is working on the scene and more details will be shared as they develop.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man who escaped custody while being transported to Columbus County has been arrested in Georgia. Duane Henderson Manning escaped from Probation/Parole Officers who were transporting him from Horry County to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility on Thursday, Sept. 7th. Manning...