On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 2328 hours officers responded to the 400 block of N. Davis St. in regards to a shooting. Upon arrival officers located Franklin Antonio Bowden II deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.

Update: The Kinston Police Department obtained warrants for Mario Devon King (34) in connection with the shooting and murder of Franklin Antonio Bowden II. On June 1, 2023, King was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. King has been placed in jail in Pennsylvania and is currently awaiting extradition back to Kinston. King has been charged with First Degree Murder.

The Kinston Police Department also obtained warrants for Tyrone Anthony Koonce (31) in connection with the shooting and murder of Franklin Antonio Bowden II. On May 25, 2023, Koonce was arrested by KPD and charged with Aid & Abet Murder. Koonce was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. Koonce has also been charged with possession of two stolen firearms.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939- 4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444. 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.