WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police are investigating an early-morning shooting that sent two people to the hospital Sunday after gunfire erupted in a parking lot near downtown Winston-Salem.

According to the Winston-Salem Police Department, officers were dispatched around 3:34 a.m. after two separate gunshot victims arrived at different medical facilities — one at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and the other at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.

Investigators determined both victims were wounded in the same incident, which occurred in a parking lot near 630 N. Liberty Street. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or the severity of their injuries.

Detectives are working to establish what led to the shooting and whether any suspects are involved. No arrests have been announced.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Winston-Salem, NC – October 17, 2025

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday evening in the 700 block of Ferrell Court.

According to a news release from the WSPD, officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 8:48 p.m. on October 16, 2025. Upon arrival, officers discovered Meranda Lynn White, a 44-year-old woman, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported White to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Shortly after arrival, she was pronounced deceased.

A second individual was also located at the scene with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Authorities have not yet released that person’s name as the investigation remains in its preliminary stages. Detectives are continuing to determine the events that led to the shooting.

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Winston-Salem Police Department has assumed responsibility for the ongoing investigation. Police have not yet identified any suspects or possible motives.

The WSPD is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the department’s non-emergency line at (336) 773-7700. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (336) 727-2800 for English or (336) 728-3904 for Spanish. Individuals can also text or send photos and videos to the Text-A-Tip Program at (336) 276-1717, or use the Crime Stoppers online tip form available on the City of Winston-Salem’s official website: https://www.cityofws.org/FormCenter/Police-Department-19/Crimestoppers-Tip-Form-100.

Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

State Bureau of Investigation launches probe after detainee dies following medical emergency at Forsyth County jail.

Winston-Salem, N.C. — A person who was arrested for trespassing at a Forsyth County hospital on Friday died after suffering an apparent medical emergency while in police custody, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to review the incident.

Police said officers were called to the hospital after the individual allegedly refused to leave the property. The person, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody without the use of force and transported to the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center.

While at the detention center, the individual experienced what police described as “an apparent medical emergency.” Officers, jail staff, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel responded and performed life-saving measures, police said in a news release. Despite their efforts, the person was pronounced dead.

“At this time, we will not be releasing the identity of the officer involved in this incident,” the department said. “The officer involved in this incident will participate in a critical incident debrief. We will also be utilizing resources to meet the officer’s emotional and mental health needs.”

The State Bureau of Investigation confirmed it was requested by Forsyth County officials to conduct an independent inquiry into the in-custody death, which is standard protocol in such cases. The SBI’s findings will be turned over to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Winston-Salem police emphasized that no physical force was used during the arrest and said that the department is cooperating fully with the SBI investigation. The police statement did not identify the hospital involved or provide additional details about the circumstances leading up to the arrest.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the detention center, has not issued a separate statement regarding the death. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death.

The death marks the latest in a series of in-custody fatalities that have drawn scrutiny across North Carolina in recent years. Civil rights advocates have called for increased transparency in such investigations, particularly regarding the release of body-camera footage and medical findings.

No further details were immediately available Saturday. The Winston-Salem Police Department said updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Winston-Salem man was sentenced Wednesday to more than 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to kill a married couple during a violent workplace attack in March, according to Forsyth County court records.

Lamard Defre Crawford, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and malicious assault in secret. Superior Court Judge David Hall sentenced Crawford to 18 years and four months to 24 years in state prison. He was given credit for 206 days spent in the Forsyth County Jail while awaiting trial.

The incident occurred around 6:10 p.m. on March 17 at 5000 Overdale Road, a road transfer station operated by Republic Services. Authorities said the confrontation involved employees of Endurance Environmental Solutions, where Crawford had worked for 18 years.

According to police and court documents, Crawford struck Shannon Lynn Bicking from behind with a golf club, hitting her multiple times. When her husband, Ethan Temple Bicking, attempted to intervene, Crawford pulled a 9 mm handgun and shot him.

Both victims were taken to a local hospital and survived their injuries.

Investigators learned there had been a prior disagreement between Crawford and the couple, though the nature of the dispute was not detailed in court filings.

Crawford was arrested shortly after the attack and charged with trying to kill the Bickings. No additional information about the motive was disclosed.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Forsyth County jury on Thursday convicted William Aikens Jr. of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of Brandon Patterson on North Cameron Avenue.

Jurors deliberated for about an hour before finding Aikens guilty of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Resident Superior Court Judge Aaron Berlin sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Police said Aikens fatally shot Patterson on Oct. 18, 2023, after circling the area in a red Dodge Charger and stopping to fire 10 rounds, striking Patterson five times. Patterson was unarmed.

Surveillance footage showed the Charger leaving the scene. Later, officers found the car at a home on Ferrell Court with a spent shell casing on the windshield wiper. Inside the glove box, investigators recovered Aikens’ Social Security card and ID.

A forensic analysis by the State Crime Lab determined the casing found on the car matched casings recovered at the crime scene.

During sentencing, Patterson’s parents told the court their son was a devoted father of two and was deeply loved by his family. They thanked the district attorney’s office and the Winston-Salem Police Department for their work in the case.

The trial was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Mark Parent and Ali Patterson. Aikens was represented by attorney Jerry Jordan.

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Authorities in Winston-Salem are investigating after two people were shot Monday night on Peters Creek Parkway.

Officers responded to the 2600 block of Peters Creek Parkway around 9:45 p.m., where they located two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. According to investigators, both victims were transported for medical treatment and are expected to recover, as their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Police believe the incident was not random and that the victims were specifically targeted. At this time, no arrests have been made.

Officials are asking anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

Greensboro, N.C. – A Winston-Salem man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a woman found at a Greensboro hotel earlier this month, police announced Sunday.

According to the Greensboro Police Department, Claude Arthur Chavis Jr., 52, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Demetria Perry, 53. He is currently being held without bond at the Guilford County jail.

Officers discovered Perry deceased on Sept. 19 while responding to a medical call at the Budget Inn on Farragut Street. Authorities have not yet released her cause of death.

Court records show Chavis was already wanted on charges of common law robbery and violating conditions of release at the time of his arrest.

Investigators confirmed they are not seeking additional suspects in connection with the case.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – Authorities are investigating a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound on Saturday night.

Police said the teenager was walking near the intersection of Gray Avenue and East 10th Street when someone inside a passing vehicle opened fire. The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where doctors treated him for a wound to his foot. His injury is considered non-life-threatening, according to officials.

Detectives are continuing to search for the suspect and vehicle involved in the shooting.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is asking anyone with information to call 336-773-7700. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 (English) or 336-728-3904 (Spanish). Tips can also be sent by text, photo, or video to 336-276-1717.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Authorities announced Friday that a 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the September 11 shooting death of a woman in Winston-Salem.

Police said Jaheim Bennett, 22, was taken into custody on Wednesday and faces several charges, including felony murder, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of stolen property. In addition, Bennett was served with an outstanding fugitive warrant from New York tied to three separate charges.

According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Bennett is currently being held at the Forsyth County Jail without bond.

The victim, identified as 27-year-old Destiny Kamara Tucker, was fatally shot on the evening of September 11. Officers responded at approximately 10:16 p.m. to the 3900 block of Cullen Street in the northeastern part of the city. When police arrived at 3911 Cullen St., they found Tucker suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later confirmed that Bennett and Tucker were acquainted prior to the shooting. Detectives said the investigation remains active.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police are investigating after a woman was found beaten to death inside a vehicle in Winston-Salem on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Winston-Salem Police Department, officers were called to the 1600 block of East 24th Street around 1:19 p.m. on September 14, where they discovered the body of 51-year-old Rhonda Larochelle Oglesby inside a car. Emergency Medical Services pronounced her dead at the scene.

Investigators said Oglesby showed clear signs of physical violence. They believe she was assaulted at her home on 730 Motor Road before being moved to the East 24th Street location.

At this stage, authorities say the case appears to be isolated and does not pose a wider threat to the public. No suspects or motives have been publicly identified, and police are continuing to gather evidence.

Residents in the area were left shaken by the discovery, describing the neighborhood as usually quiet. The investigation remains active, and officials say additional updates will be released as new information becomes available.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800.

Winston-Salem police say an officer discharged his weapon during a pursuit Wednesday evening after a suspect displayed a firearm. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

The incident occurred around 7:52 p.m. in the 2100 block of East 25th Street, according to police. Officers had been conducting a drug-related investigation in the area when they approached a group of individuals. The group scattered, prompting several officers to give chase.

During the pursuit, one suspect pulled out a gun. Authorities said the officer then fired his service weapon but did not strike the suspect. Despite the confrontation, officers were able to apprehend the individual safely.

Officials have not released the names of either the officer involved or the suspect. Investigators with the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Detective Division and Professional Standards Division are reviewing the incident in line with department protocols for officer-involved shootings.

Police emphasized that no officers, community members, or suspects were injured during the encounter.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – A 17-year-old male is in the hospital after being shot by a rideshare driver during a confrontation on Sunday, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD).

Officers were called to the 4900 block of Doris Street following reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, police said in a news release.

The WSPD Violent Firearms Investigation Team (VFIT) took over the case. Investigators say early findings suggest the shooting was sparked by a dispute after a rideshare trip was canceled.

According to police, the juvenile became agitated and allegedly approached the driver in a threatening manner while armed. In response, the driver fired a weapon, striking the teen.

After consulting with the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, authorities determined the shooting was an act of self-defense, and no charges will be filed against the driver at this time.

Police emphasized that the investigation remains active.