Kinston Police Department: Unsolved Murder Update

On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, just prior to 1:30 pm, James Franklin and two people were parked in a vehicle on the 200 block of E. Capitola Avenue. Witnesses stated that they saw two unknown subjects standing in the backyard of a residence on N. McLewean Street, shooting toward the vehicle. All three people in the vehicle were shot; James Franklin died at the scene. Witnesses described the unknown suspects as short to average height black male subjects. One of the subjects had a rifle and the other had a handgun. The case remains unsolved to this date.

Victim: James Arthur Franklin

Location: 200 block of E. Capitola Avenue

On Wednesday, January 26th, 2022, members of the Kinston Police Department were able to obtain a Murder Warrant for 32 year old, Carlos Fields, for his involvement in the 2013 murder of James Franklin. Fields was arrested by members of the United States Marshals Office on February 22nd, 2022, in Hookerton N.C. and has been jailed without bond. This arrest would not have been possible without cooperation from the community and without the support of District Attorney’s Office, District 8A.

The Kinston Police Department places the highest priority on investigating crimes of violence perpetrated in our city. We will continue to investigate such cases with no compromise for crime, and continue to seek assistance from the communities that we proudly serve.

This case, as are all violent crimes until adjudicated, remains under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.