CRIME Shooting at Wilson County courthouse in NC

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July 13, 2026

Downtown shootings leave 4 injured, including police officer and deputy​

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Four people, including a woman, a police officer and a deputy, were injured in linked downtown Wilson shootings near the courthouse; suspect Abdul Karim Mustafa, 21, is in custody on attempted murder and other charges.​


Abdul Karim Mustafa, 21, is being held on no bond accused of shooting three people, including a deputy with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Wilson Police Department on Monday morning, July 13.

Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard said Mustafa was taken into custody without incident after he was shot in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. Woodard said Mustafa was taken to the hospital before he was booked at the Wilson County Jail. Woodard could not confirm whether Mustafa was armed at the time of his arrest.

According to Woodard, Mustafa is charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of going armed to the terror of the people, one count of discharging a gun on county property and three counts of damage to real property for the initial courthouse shooting.

WOMAN SHOT AT COURTHOUSE

The violence began just around 10:40 a.m. when a woman, later identified as a Black 19-year-old female, was shot on the Wilson County Courthouse steps. According to Woodard, the victim was in critical condition and undergoing surgery during a press conference Monday afternoon. He did not release her name.

“The suspect stepped out from the bench out in the courthouse area,” Woodard said. “The victim was walking into the courthouse when she was shot. The suspect proceeded to run several blocks and was encountered by law enforcement.”

Crowds circled the Wilson County Courthouse minutes after the shooting. People on scene whispered to one another, called loved ones and watched as the victim lay bleeding on the courthouse steps.

Wilson Police Department, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and probation officers were securing the scene when Wilson County EMS arrived. Family members of the injured cried out in anger as officers removed them from the scene.

“I’ve been too calm about this,” one man yelled. “Now they’re going to see the streets. They just shot my baby.”

Moments later, officers took off in a sprint down Goldsboro Street carrying long rifles and shotguns as more shots rang out in the downtown area. Deputies and officers set up a perimeter around the intersection of Goldsboro and Barnes streets and entered one building on Barnes Street with weapons drawn but came out of the building without a suspect in custody.

Woodard said that the police officer was shot at least one time, and the deputy at least two times. He said the exchange between the suspect and officers took place in the area of Barnes and Tarboro streets. Both law enforcement officers are in stable condition, according to the sheriff. Woodard did not release the names of the officers involved the shooting but did say both officers have long tenures in law enforcement and are highly trained. Woodard said they would be placed on leave pending an investigation from the State Bureau of Investigation.

“Our biggest goal was to stop the threat,” Woodard said. “This is something that never should’ve happened.”

Woodard said the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is only investigating the courthouse incident. He said the Wilson Police Department would be investigating everything that followed the initial incident.

“This was an isolated incident,” Woodard said. “The public should have no worries. We’ve made sure we’ve dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ’T’ with local and state agencies. We’re going to continue this investigation to its fullest.”

District Attorney Jeff Marsigli said at the press conference that the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office was only responsible for investigating the shooting at the courthouse and additional charges are expected the follow.

A CONNECTED SHOOTING

Woodard said the Wilson Police Department is investigating if the suspect knew the victim, but he did confirm that the victim is related to a suspect charged in the shooting death of 16-year-old Ladarrius Alfonzo Simmons on Tuesday, June 23.

Woodard said the sheriff’s office is investigating the victim’s purpose for being at the courthouse, but based on the information available Monday afternoon, there’s a connection between the suspect, victim and the shooting death of Simmons. Woodard said the shooting was targeted. He said the shooting is in the “beginning, middle stages of research” into whether the incident is gang-related.

“We’re doing search warrants to seek information through intelligence and conducting interviews,” Woodard said. “Anytime something like this happens, it’s always unbelievable. We always look at different protocol to ensure everything we do is safe — safe for our citizens and those doing business in the courthouse. The structure is checked. We believe he saw that opportunity because it was a public square. We have a lot of footage, deputies and detention officers. There’s nothing to allow us to believe there’s a safety issue with the courthouse.”

Woodard said there is no active threat to the courthouse.

“We’re monitoring our intelligence sources, but you always have those incidents,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to make sure we do our checks on the outskirts of the courthouse. We always look at every incident and make sure every avenue is followed to prevent a lot of things, but sometimes things happen. Our prayers go out to victim and officers.”

BUSINESSES LOCKED DOWN

Businesses in downtown Wilson went on lockdown after the incident, and several closed for the day.

Eugene Mallozzi, owner of Gino’s Gelatos, said he was getting ready to open business for the day when he heard the gunshots.

“They (law enforcement) asked us to shut down for the day so they could conduct their investigation, but we were open,” Mallozzi said. “I was impressed with the swarm, how fast the police acted. Police got after them right away.”

Jim Howard, office manager of Wilson Arts, said that at the time of the courthouse shooting a children’s camp was underway at the Wilson Arts Center. Howard, a retired Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, said the Wilson Arts Center was placed on lockdown The center is about a half-block from the Wilson County Courthouse. Howard said the center remained on lockdown earlier afternoon.

“It has been a sad day,” Howard said.

The Wilson Police Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Wilson Police Department at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.

 
Mzkitty said:
View attachment 611642

July 13, 2026

Downtown shootings leave 4 injured, including police officer and deputy​

View attachment 611643

Four people, including a woman, a police officer and a deputy, were injured in linked downtown Wilson shootings near the courthouse; suspect Abdul Karim Mustafa, 21, is in custody on attempted murder and other charges.​


Abdul Karim Mustafa, 21, is being held on no bond accused of shooting three people, including a deputy with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Wilson Police Department on Monday morning, July 13.

Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard said Mustafa was taken into custody without incident after he was shot in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. Woodard said Mustafa was taken to the hospital before he was booked at the Wilson County Jail. Woodard could not confirm whether Mustafa was armed at the time of his arrest.

According to Woodard, Mustafa is charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of going armed to the terror of the people, one count of discharging a gun on county property and three counts of damage to real property for the initial courthouse shooting.

WOMAN SHOT AT COURTHOUSE

The violence began just around 10:40 a.m. when a woman, later identified as a Black 19-year-old female, was shot on the Wilson County Courthouse steps. According to Woodard, the victim was in critical condition and undergoing surgery during a press conference Monday afternoon. He did not release her name.

“The suspect stepped out from the bench out in the courthouse area,” Woodard said. “The victim was walking into the courthouse when she was shot. The suspect proceeded to run several blocks and was encountered by law enforcement.”

Crowds circled the Wilson County Courthouse minutes after the shooting. People on scene whispered to one another, called loved ones and watched as the victim lay bleeding on the courthouse steps.

Wilson Police Department, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and probation officers were securing the scene when Wilson County EMS arrived. Family members of the injured cried out in anger as officers removed them from the scene.

“I’ve been too calm about this,” one man yelled. “Now they’re going to see the streets. They just shot my baby.”

Moments later, officers took off in a sprint down Goldsboro Street carrying long rifles and shotguns as more shots rang out in the downtown area. Deputies and officers set up a perimeter around the intersection of Goldsboro and Barnes streets and entered one building on Barnes Street with weapons drawn but came out of the building without a suspect in custody.

Woodard said that the police officer was shot at least one time, and the deputy at least two times. He said the exchange between the suspect and officers took place in the area of Barnes and Tarboro streets. Both law enforcement officers are in stable condition, according to the sheriff. Woodard did not release the names of the officers involved the shooting but did say both officers have long tenures in law enforcement and are highly trained. Woodard said they would be placed on leave pending an investigation from the State Bureau of Investigation.

“Our biggest goal was to stop the threat,” Woodard said. “This is something that never should’ve happened.”

Woodard said the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is only investigating the courthouse incident. He said the Wilson Police Department would be investigating everything that followed the initial incident.

“This was an isolated incident,” Woodard said. “The public should have no worries. We’ve made sure we’ve dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ’T’ with local and state agencies. We’re going to continue this investigation to its fullest.”

District Attorney Jeff Marsigli said at the press conference that the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office was only responsible for investigating the shooting at the courthouse and additional charges are expected the follow.

A CONNECTED SHOOTING

Woodard said the Wilson Police Department is investigating if the suspect knew the victim, but he did confirm that the victim is related to a suspect charged in the shooting death of 16-year-old Ladarrius Alfonzo Simmons on Tuesday, June 23.

Woodard said the sheriff’s office is investigating the victim’s purpose for being at the courthouse, but based on the information available Monday afternoon, there’s a connection between the suspect, victim and the shooting death of Simmons. Woodard said the shooting was targeted. He said the shooting is in the “beginning, middle stages of research” into whether the incident is gang-related.

“We’re doing search warrants to seek information through intelligence and conducting interviews,” Woodard said. “Anytime something like this happens, it’s always unbelievable. We always look at different protocol to ensure everything we do is safe — safe for our citizens and those doing business in the courthouse. The structure is checked. We believe he saw that opportunity because it was a public square. We have a lot of footage, deputies and detention officers. There’s nothing to allow us to believe there’s a safety issue with the courthouse.”

Woodard said there is no active threat to the courthouse.

“We’re monitoring our intelligence sources, but you always have those incidents,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to make sure we do our checks on the outskirts of the courthouse. We always look at every incident and make sure every avenue is followed to prevent a lot of things, but sometimes things happen. Our prayers go out to victim and officers.”

BUSINESSES LOCKED DOWN

Businesses in downtown Wilson went on lockdown after the incident, and several closed for the day.

Eugene Mallozzi, owner of Gino’s Gelatos, said he was getting ready to open business for the day when he heard the gunshots.

“They (law enforcement) asked us to shut down for the day so they could conduct their investigation, but we were open,” Mallozzi said. “I was impressed with the swarm, how fast the police acted. Police got after them right away.”

Jim Howard, office manager of Wilson Arts, said that at the time of the courthouse shooting a children’s camp was underway at the Wilson Arts Center. Howard, a retired Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, said the Wilson Arts Center was placed on lockdown The center is about a half-block from the Wilson County Courthouse. Howard said the center remained on lockdown earlier afternoon.

“It has been a sad day,” Howard said.

The Wilson Police Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Wilson Police Department at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.

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Out by nightfall!
 
“BREAKING: 19-year-old Latoya Andrea Lucas was shot multiple times at the Wilson County #Courthouse today in what police are calling a retaliatory attack tied to the murder of 16-year-old Ladarrius "D'Baby" Simmons.”

Really?
 
Yep.. Gun free zones in action again.
Just love the wordsmithing from the county official "there was nothing to allow us to believe that there is a safety issue with the courthouse."
 
ssonb said:
Yep.. Gun free zones in action again.
Just love the wordsmithing from the county official "there was nothing to allow us to believe that there is a safety issue with the courthouse."
Click to expand...
Maybe instead of a single gate there could be multiple "doors" to leave? A shooting would be a matter of chance since it gets more difficult to cover multiple egress.

I almost suggested a police escort for departure - maybe even "door to door" service. But this puts officers at risk.

Dobbin
 
There is one option that is not discussed, I have mentioned it before to county official, park and resort security people and at best I get a wide eyed look and an ok comment.
For example.. You live in an open carry state, you have to go into a weapon/ gun free zone, before the security barrier the PTBs have a kiosk where you rent and store your personal collection this option solves multiple issues one is you are armed when you approach the
facility not armed when required and re-armed as you exit.
Revenue source for the restricted facilities.
It removes the vulnerable victim space to and from the limiting areas.
The criminal element does not like armed victims so as an example going to and from such places almost guarantees you being helpless.
Removes the problem that is danced around that the building owners, city,county,state and federal have when you are required to be disarmed and no security is provided after you leave or before you enter, guaranteed inside not so outside
Oh yes the SO responded quickly enuf but only after.
 
ssonb said:
There is one option that is not discussed, I have mentioned it before to county official, park and resort security people and at best I get a wide eyed look and an ok comment.
For example.. You live in an open carry state, you have to go into a weapon/ gun free zone, before the security barrier the PTBs have a kiosk where you rent and store your personal collection this option solves multiple issues one is you are armed when you approach the
facility not armed when required and re-armed as you exit.
Revenue source for the restricted facilities.
It removes the vulnerable victim space to and from the limiting areas.
The criminal element does not like armed victims so as an example going to and from such places almost guarantees you being helpless.
Removes the problem that is danced around that the building owners, city,county,state and federal have when you are required to be disarmed and no security is provided after you leave or before you enter, guaranteed inside not so outside
Oh yes the SO responded quickly enuf but only after.
Click to expand...
Until we have cases where judges, officers, beaurecrats end in the grey zone in massive numbers, will we see something along these lines.

One can make a strong case that as the location is a weapons free zone, one weapons use is steeply increased in penalties like automatic death penalties, two the munincipality is strictly liable for all destruction as they are incapable of creating a safe space and weapons free zone.

Until the liabilities and risk are enhanced, increased, and made blatently obvious will your suggestion actually be contemplated as a solution.
 
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