Update: Shooting/Murder Investigation

Update 1/28/2022:

On Thursday, January 27th, 2022, members of the Kinston Police Department, United States Marshals Office, and Greenville Police Department were able to apprehend Maleak Smith, 19, of Kinston N.C. for his involvement in the shooting incident that occurred on January 26th, 2022. Smith was arrested in Greenville N.C. without incident and charged with Murder and two counts of Attempted Murder. He was placed in the Lenoir County Detention Center under no bond. This case remains an active investigation and the Kinston Police Department asks for anyone with information to come forward.

The young man who passed away as a result of this shooting incident was Michael Mills , 14 years old of Kinston. The other two juveniles are still in Vidant Medical Center in critical condition: Aavonta Bethea, age 13 and Izaah Foye, age 17 both of Kinston.

Update 1/27/2022: Shooting/Murder Investigation

An arrest has been made in the shooting that occurred last night on the 500 block of Mitchell St. Malik Dyshaun Bryant, 24, of Kinston NC was arrested and charged an open count of murder and two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder. Mr. Bryant was confined to the Lenoir County Detention Center under no bond.

We are saddened to say all of the victims in this case were juveniles. We are unable to release the name of the 14 year old male victim, who died at the scene, as well as the two other male victims, age 13 and age 17 are currently at Vidant Medical Center in critical condition.

The members of the Kinston Police Department are very thankful for the community reaching out to assist in this investigation. Any one with any information related to this case should contact the Kinston Police Department Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.

Prior Media Release

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, around 8:45 pm, calls came to the Lenoir County 911 Center in reference to someone had been shot on the 500 block of Mitchell St. Officers arrived to find three young males who had been shot. One of the young men had passed away due to his injuries. The other two subjects have been transported to Vidant Medical Center for treatment.

The Kinston Police Department places the highest priority on investigating crimes of violence perpetrated in our city. We will investigate such cases with no compromise for crime, and continue to seek assistance from the community we proudly serve. If anyone has any further information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.