Case Update 

On Monday, October 30, 2023, Investigators with the Kinston Police Department were able to obtain warrants on Donteon Foye, 22, of Kinston, for 1st Degree Murder in the shooting death of Jaliek Pridgen on October 18, 2023. Foye is currently in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections, where he is serving a sentence for violating the terms of his parole. Upon the completion of his current sentence, he will be transferred back to the Lenoir County Jail, where he will be arrested for the additional warrant.  

This case remains under investigation, and the Kinston Police Department remains committed to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.  If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App that is available on both Apple and Android devices.  Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.  

Previous Case Update

On Thursday, October 19th, 2023, members of the Kinston Police Department and Lenoir County Sheriffs began working diligently to apprehend those responsible for the murder of Jaliek Pridgen.  During that collaboration, detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office obtained warrants for the arrest of Donteon Foye, 22, of Kinston, and Tyreke Moore, 26, of Kinston.  Members of the Kinston Police Department obtained warrants for the arrest of Rahmel Gray, 23, of Pink Hill, and additionally charged Foye for his involvement in the homicide of Pridgen.  

During the arrest of Gray, he was transported to the Kinston Police Department for processing, and after arriving at the Lenoir County Magistrates Office, he was able to manipulate his handcuffs and run from officers.  He was apprehended a short time later by members of the Lenoir County Sheriffs Officer and the Kinston Police Department.   

This investigation is still in its early stages; however, it has revealed that each suspect has worked together to plan home invasion-style robberies throughout Kinston and Lenoir County. All three individuals have been arrested and placed in the Lenoir County Jail under secure bonds.  More arrests and charges are anticipated as this investigation continues to unfold.

Charges

Gray - Conspiracy to commit 1st Degree Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery

Foye - Conspiracy to commit 1st Degree Burglary (x2), Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery (x2)

Moore - Conspiracy to commit 1st Degree Burglary (x2), Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery (x2)

Original Release

On Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, at approximately 11:50 pm, Kinston Police Officers responded to the 1800 block of Dupree St. Kinston to assist the NC Division of Adult Corrections Officers with an area check. While on the scene, officers discovered evidence of a shooting that had taken place. As officers continued to search the area, they were able to locate Jaliek Pridgen, 27, of Kinston, who was deceased as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation reveals an unknown suspect(s) shot Pridgen at his residence during an apparent home invasion.  After the shooting, the assailant(s) fled the area.

The Kinston Police Department places the highest priority on investigating crimes of violence perpetrated in our city. We will investigate such cases without compromise for crime and continue to seek assistance from the community we proudly serve.  If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App that is available on both Apple and Android devices.  Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.