Oct 18

Oct 18 UPDATED: Arrests made in Saturday's midday shootings near Carolina, Waverly and Fairfield Avenues

Crime scene tape is secured by the fence at Fairfield Park on Carolina Ave just after lunch time on Saturday, Oct. 13. Photo by BJ Murphy / Neuse News

UPDATED: Thursday, Oct. 18 6:00 a.m.

From the Kinston Police Department: **Update to Saturday’s shooting**

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 1:46 pm, an 18 year old male subject and a 16 year old male subject were walking near the intersection of Waverly Avenue and Fairfield Avenue when they were shot by an unknown subject. Both subjects were transported to Vidant Medical Center for treatment.

As an agency, we realize the severity of our citizen’s concerns for their safety and like the community; we as an organization were also outraged at the audacity of this senseless shooting. We also understand the public’s desire to have the case closed immediately with an arrest; however, there are certain situations where an investigation to the incident takes longer than preferred. Since the shooting on Saturday, additional officers have been added to the streets and our investigators have been working the investigation with anticipation of solving the case as swift as possible.

We would like to update the public with the investigation. The victims in the case, Zyquan Lewis (18 yoa) and Daveyontae Miller (16 yoa) were walking along Waverly Avenue when they were encountered by a vehicle at the intersection of Waverly Avenue and Fairfield Avenue. A suspect riding in the vehicle rolled down the window and began shooting toward Lewis and Miller. Lewis was shot multiple times in the upper and lower body while Miller was shot in the lower body. Emergency crews responded to the scene and quickly rendered aid to the victims. A firearm that came back stolen from a previous vehicle breaking and entering case was located on the ground beside Lewis. The weapon was jammed and appeared to have been fired. The firearm was seized and the victims were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Both, Lewis and Miller recovered from their injuries and were later released from the hospital. On October 18, 2018, an arrest warrant was issued on Lewis for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. An arrest warrant was also issued on Tajhmere Hyman Turnage (16 yoa) for (2) Counts of Attempted Murder, (2) Counts of AWDWIKISI and (1) Count of Discharge a Firearm from a Vehicle to Incite Fear. Lewis was arrested at his home in Kinston and placed in the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond. Tajhmere Hyman Turnage, who was arrested for a firearms violation the previous day, was served the arrest warrants while he was awaiting trial for the firearms violation. Turnage’s bond is not available at this time.

Our officers will continue to utilize all legal strategies to bring violent fugitives to justice and protect our citizens. We are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of our citizens and visitors of the city of Kinston and will continue to work with the community to make Kinston the safest city possible. This investigation is ongoing, if anyone has information regarding this incident, they are asked to call the Kinston Police Dept. at 252-939-3160, the TIPS LINE at 252-939-4020, or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.

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Midday shootings near Carolina, Waverly and Fairfield Avenues

Both subjects were transported to Vidant Medical Center for treatment. One subject is in serious condition while the other subject’s injuries are not life threatening.

The identities of the victims are being withheld at this time due to the nature of the investigation.

Mayor Don Hardy issued a statement to the Fairfield Community this afternoon.

“Just to let everyone know within the Fairfield Community Kinston Police Department are working diligently to increase safety in your community as we have called in additional officers to work not only the Fairfield Community but many others throughout the City of Kinston. Just to let you know we are working on leads to arrest those individuals that were involved in this unacceptably horrific, incident that has taken place.

"The shooting that has occurred in your community is in fact stemmed from gang activity of retaliation from the previous day. I can assure you that we are working very hard to solve this issue. We do have several suspects in custody from yesterday’s incident in which we believe is connected to today’s incident. We will give updates when we are able to provide more."

Kinston Police Chief Alonzo Jaynes issued this statement at 8:04 p.m.:

"What we can tell you at this point is that there was a drive by shooting. It was reported that a passenger in a blue vehicle opened fire on two individuals Many are asking if this is gang related or connected to the shooting yesterday. At this time we really don’t know.

"I have an officer dedicated to the area tonight as well as officers assigned to target areas.

"If you all have any information please let me know."

This investigation is ongoing, if anyone has information regarding this incident, they are asked to call the Kinston Police Dept. at 252-939-3160, the TIPS LINE at 252-939-4020, or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.