A 27-year-old Greensboro man is facing an additional criminal charge after authorities say he tried to escape while in custody at the Guilford County Detention Center.

According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on August 14 after Kurtis Asante was taken into custody by Greensboro police for misdemeanor second-degree trespassing around 4 p.m.

Attempted Escape Inside the Facility

After being transported to the detention center, Asante was placed in a holding cell in the law enforcement area while awaiting booking procedures, including fingerprinting and medical intake screening.

By 8 p.m., he had been moved from the holding cell to a designated seating area for newly arrested individuals. About an hour later, Asante got up and walked roughly 75 feet through the processing area before entering the pat search room through an unsecured door.

Once inside, authorities say he pressed the intercom button located at the secured door that leads back to the law enforcement area where he was previously held. Officials believe this was an attempt to gain access to a restricted section of the detention facility.

Swift Response from Detention Officers

The intercom immediately alerted staff at the booking desk that Asante was in an unauthorized area. Detention officers, including a supervising lieutenant, responded quickly and escorted him back to his assigned seat.

Officials clarified that Asante never reached an unsecured part of the building, never left the secured perimeter, and did not exit the detention center. He was later placed in a housing unit after being processed.

New Charge Added

Following the incident, Asante was charged with misdemeanor escape from a county or city confinement facility. He was later released on a $500 unsecured bond.

The sheriff’s office reported that a review is underway to determine whether further prosecution of the escape charge is necessary, given that Asante never left the secure portions of the facility.

Dwuan Rashawn Byrd

Two Guilford County schools were briefly placed on lockdown Thursday morning after police discovered a loaded firearm hidden inside a student’s bookbag at High Point Central High School.

According to the High Point Police Department, the 16-year-old student had wrapped the gun in a sweatshirt and brought it onto campus. He was taken into custody and now faces several charges, including possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a handgun by a minor, and carrying a concealed weapon.

How the Incident Unfolded

Authorities said the student arrived at the school around 8:55 a.m. and passed through the building’s weapons detection system. The scanner alerted staff to his bag, leading to a search that uncovered the loaded weapon. Police emphasized that the gun was never displayed, and no one was injured during the incident.

School staff, along with the on-site School Resource Officer (SRO), immediately secured the weapon and detained the student.

Second School Placed on Lockdown

Out of an abundance of caution, nearby Sylvia Mendez Newcomers School was also briefly placed on lockdown. Both schools resumed normal operations shortly after police confirmed the situation was under control.

District Statement on Student Safety

In a news release, Guilford County Schools reaffirmed its commitment to safety:

“The student will face school and legal consequences. The safety and well-being of students and staff is the district’s top priority.”

The district also reminded students and families of the importance of reporting potential threats. Concerns can be shared anonymously through Sandy Hook Promise’s “Say Something” program or by calling 1-844-5-SayNow.

Context of Increased Concerns

The discovery came just one day after a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, where a gunman opened fire at a Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 others. The High Point incident, while not resulting in injuries, added to heightened concerns among parents, staff, and the wider community.

Photo Credit: Winston-Salem Police Department 

Kernersville, N.C. – A local pastor has been charged with statutory rape and multiple counts of indecent liberties with a child, according to Forsyth County court records and an arrest warrant.

Brett Martin Kitko, 50, was arrested on August 19 and charged with one count of felony statutory rape of a child older than 6 and two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred in the early 2000s.

Authorities say Kitko, who was in his mid-20s at the time, engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. He was released after posting a $300,000 bond and made his first appearance in Forsyth County District Court on Monday.

Background in Ministry and Theater

Kitko currently serves as senior pastor at Phoenix at Century Park Church in Kernersville, according to the church’s website. His biography notes that he grew up in rural Pennsylvania and has led several Triad-area congregations over the past two decades.

Before joining Phoenix at Century Park, Kitko worked as interim pastor at Goodwill Baptist Church in Kernersville and later spent 14 years as senior pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He left Antioch around 2018 before taking on his current role.

Outside the pulpit, Kitko has long been active in North Carolina community theater. He founded The Dionysian Theatre in Winston-Salem in the late 1990s and has performed in multiple productions. He appeared in The Music Man at the Andy Griffith Playhouse in 2003 and was active in the High Point production of Big Fish in 2018.

Personal Life

Kitko married in 2003 and is the father of two teenagers, according to his church biography.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.

A Winston-Salem man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and intentional child abuse that led to the death of his 23-month-old nephew.

Sentencing in Forsyth Superior Court

Forsyth Superior Court Judge Richard Gottlieb sentenced Fernanda Lavon Jones, 37, to serve between 21 years and two months and 26 years and five months in state prison, according to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office.

Emergency Response and Child’s Death

The case began in the early morning hours of July 27, 2021, when Winston-Salem police, firefighters, and paramedics responded to a 911 call at a home on Peachtree Street. First responders were told a toddler was struggling to breathe.

When emergency medical personnel arrived, Jones carried 23-month-old Thomas Jones to the ambulance. The child was unresponsive, and despite lifesaving efforts, he was later pronounced dead at 5:05 a.m. at Brenner Children’s Hospital.

Investigation Findings

Authorities learned that the boy had been left in the care of Jones—his uncle—between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. that morning. An autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to the abdomen as the cause of death, and investigators also noted bruises on the toddler’s head, face, neck, and abdomen.

The child’s mother told detectives she had left her son with her sister and Jones so he could spend time with his cousins.

Courtroom Statement from the Mother

In court, the toddler’s mother described her grief over her son’s death but also asked the judge to consider a sentence that would allow Jones to eventually remain connected to his own children.

A male student at North Forsyth High School is facing multiple charges after authorities discovered he had a loaded gun on campus, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

The student is charged with possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a firearm with the serial number removed, and alteration, destruction, or removal of a serial number from a gun. He was taken to a juvenile detention center following the incident.

The discovery took place on the seventh day of the school year in the district. Authorities credited the swift response of law enforcement and school staff for ensuring the safety of the campus.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that the case highlights the importance of responsible decision-making and community vigilance in maintaining school safety.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 62-year-old man Tuesday night.

At 9:59 p.m. on August 19, 2025, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 300 block of Gregory Street. When they arrived, they discovered a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was later identified as Marco Antonio Salazar Cano, 62. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) quickly transported him to a local hospital, but despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

The WSPD’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is leading the investigation. Detectives remained on the scene late into the night, gathering evidence and interviewing potential witnesses.

At this time, no suspect information has been released, and the investigation remains active.

Community Assistance Requested

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

• WSPD Non-Emergency Line: 336-773-7700
• Crime Stoppers (English): 336-727-2800
• Crime Stoppers (Spanish): 336-728-3904
• Text-A-Tip Program: 336-276-1717 (allows sending text, photo, or video tips directly to detectives)
• Online Tip Form: Crime Stoppers Tip Form

Crime Stoppers allows tipsters to remain anonymous and may offer a reward for information leading to an arrest.

This marks yet another homicide in Winston-Salem as police continue working with the community to curb gun violence.

Michael Banks, 13

Date/Time of Incident: Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 6:08 AM

Location: 2500 block of Green Oaks Drive, Winston-Salem, NC

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is actively investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in the 2500 block of Green Oaks Drive.

Upon arrival, officers located Harold Devon Smith, a 57-year-old male, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Mr. Smith was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment. At this time, his injuries are considered non-life threatening.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

📞 How to Help:

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact law enforcement through the following channels:

• Non-Emergency Line: 336-773-7700
• Crime Stoppers (English): 336-727-2800
• Crime Stoppers (Spanish): 336-728-3904
• Text-A-Tip: 336-276-1717 (send text, photo, or video directly to WSPD Detectives)
• Online Crime Stoppers Tip Form: Submit Here

All Crime Stoppers tips are anonymous, and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.

A fatal shooting in Winston-Salem early Saturday morning has left one woman dead and another facing a murder charge.

Police said officers were called to the 1200 block of East 25th Street at 7:19 a.m. When they arrived, they found 28-year-old Breanna Zhane Hunter suffering from a gunshot wound. Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities confirmed Hunter’s family has been notified of her death.