Russell Edwards Marshall, 71, was found unresponsive in the medical dorm of the Forsyth County Jail on Wednesday. Despite CPR and medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Marshall had been in custody since September 2022 on charges of two counts of first-degree murder and arson in connection with deadly house fires in Winston-Salem.

The State Bureau of Investigation is now handling the case, as is standard procedure.

A Winston-Salem man is facing multiple charges following a traffic crash that injured a pregnant woman and resulted in the death of her unborn child, authorities said.

According to police, the crash occurred around 1:05 p.m. Wednesday in the 2400 block of North Patterson Avenue. Neffaterrie Tyanna Green, 32, who was pregnant, was a passenger in a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by 30-year-old Dequante Keshawn Johnson. Investigators say Johnson’s vehicle veered out of its lane and struck a parked 2012 Dodge Ram, pushing it into a 1999 Ford truck.

Green suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where it was determined that her unborn child had died as a result of the crash.

The Winston-Salem Police Department’s traffic enforcement unit identified speed and reckless driving as contributing factors. Johnson was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child, speeding, reckless driving, driving while license revoked, and failure to maintain lane control.

He is being held in the Forsyth County Jail on a $150,000 bond for the traffic-related charges. Authorities also served Johnson with an outstanding parole violation connected to the incident. No bond was issued for the violation.

Photo courtesy of Winston-Salem Police Department

Joseph Marshall Blevins, 47, of Walkertown, received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty on July 7 to nine counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months to 20 years and 4 months, suspended, and placed on 3 years of supervised probation. Blevins also received 80 days in custody but was released due to time already served. He was arrested in April after Forsyth County deputies received cyber tips and later found over 50 explicit images of children, ages 8 to 14, on his phone. Blevins is now a registered sex offender.

Winston-Salem Police have arrested eight adults and charged three juveniles following a large public fight that broke out early Sunday morning in downtown.

Officers responded around 12:44 a.m. to the intersection of Trade Street and Seventh Street, where they found multiple people involved in a physical altercation.

Three juveniles — two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old — are being charged through the juvenile petition process.

Among the adults arrested:

• Trenton Gough, 18 – Charged with underage alcohol consumption, intoxicated and disruptive behavior, simple affray, and resisting a public officer. Bond set at $500 secured.
• Monte Evans, 18 – Charged with underage alcohol consumption, intoxicated and disruptive behavior, and simple affray. Bond set at $1,000 secured.
• Cammarius Crump Jr., 18, Santiago Martinez, 19, and Jabray Couthen, 18 – Each charged with simple affray and released on a written promise to appear in court.
• Carbajal Real, 41, and Lacretia Mobley, 34 – Cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
• Wendy White, 55 – Faces an outstanding criminal summons for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

From Crime Stoppers of Winston Salem:

Winston-Salem, NC (July 12, 2025) — The Winston-Salem Police Department is investigating a homicide that claimed the life of a 24-year-old man late Friday night.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 1261 Waughtown Street at approximately 11:06 p.m. on July 11. Upon arrival, they discovered a male victim, identified as Julio Cesar Vargas-Olmedo, suffering from gunshot wounds outside the residence.

Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but Vargas-Olmedo was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.

The department’s Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the case and is working to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting. As of Saturday, no arrests had been announced, and police have not released information about a suspect or motive.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Individuals can contact the department’s non-emergency line at 336-773-7700. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 (or 336-728-3904 for Spanish speakers), or by using the department’s Text-A-Tip service at 336-276-1717. Tips, photos, and videos can also be submitted online at cityofws.org.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Winston-Salem, NC (July 13, 2025) — A single person is dead and two others are recovering from injuries following a Saturday morning shooting outside of a Winston-Salem nightclub.

Police indicate that the shooting took place at approximately 4:00 a.m. outside Studio 71, which is situated at Waughtown Street. Officers found multiple victims of gunshot and a chaotic scene, with between 150 to 200 individuals present when the shooting happened. Despite the large number of individuals, police say no one has come forward with information as witnesses.

The late victim has been identified as 23-year-old Tazhae Jamier Woods. He was rushed to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center by private vehicle, where he succumbed to his injuries. Two others — a 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman — were also shot by bullets and rushed to hospital. They are expected to survive. A fourth person, a 26-year-old man who was in the car with Woods, was not hurt.

The Winston-Salem Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating the incident. Detectives have processed the scene and collected evidence but have made no arrests and provided no suspect descriptions. Anyone who was in the nightclub when the incident occurred is requested to call in with information.

Police Chief William H. Penn Jr. regretted that witnesses have kept quiet even in the presence of so many. He invited the public to report, saying, "We all play a part in public safety. If you see something, say something. Your voice might be the difference-maker for securing answers and bringing justice."

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tips may be made anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as received by the police department.

RURAL HALL, N.C. – On July 7, 2025, 39-year-old Daniel William George of Rural Hall was arrested as a result of an investigation conducted by the Invictus Task Force. The investigation began due to a cyber tip submitted to NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).

George’s arrest came after a search warrant was executed at his home, and he is currently charged with two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

He has been taken to Forsyth County Detention Center and is currently facing a $200,000 secured bond. He will appear in court on July 8, 2025, for his first hearing in Forsyth County District Court.

The case remains open, and the law enforcement agencies involved are encouraging anyone with information to reach out to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office or members of the Invictus Task Force.

Investigation Overview:

• The Invictus Task Force deals with child exploitation crimes over the web in collaboration with several counties, NC SBI, and Homeland Security.

• Responding to alerts like these serves to combat online exploitation, and this particular alert initiated a coordinated response immediately.

Press Release 

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) has filed additional charges in connection with the shooting incident that occurred at 951 Ballpark Way on Friday evening. Both the juvenile suspect and the suspect’s parent have now been charged following further investigation.

This weekend, WSPD Officers continued their investigative efforts, which led to the 16-year-old suspect, Cortez Jimel Arbery, Jr., being charged as an adult with the following offenses (previously released):

◾ Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury

◾ Possession of Marijuana Less Than ½ Ounce

◾ Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

After further investigation revealed a vehicle had been struck during the shooting, additional charges are pending for felony Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle and three (3) Counts of felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Juvenile petitions are also being sought for misdemeanor charges. Mr. Arbery remains in custody at a juvenile detention center under no bond allowed. 

In addition, after consultation with the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, WSPD charged the juvenile’s parent, Tia Shaundree Barnes a 46-year-old female, in connection to the case. Ms. Barnes was arrested and charged Saturday evening with:

◾ Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

◾ Resist, Delay, and Obstruct a Public Officer

◾ Possession of Methamphetamine

◾ Possession of Cocaine

◾ Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Ms. Barnes was also served with an outstanding warrant from an unrelated matter. She appeared before a magistrate and received a $6,000 secured bond.

This investigation remains ongoing. Further confirmed information will be released as appropriate. 

“Earlier this summer, we warned that parents would be held accountable if they failed to supervise their children—and we meant it. District Attorney O’Neill is a man of his word. After the tragic shooting at Truist Stadium, we charged 16-year-old Cortez Arbery, Jr. as an adult, and his mother, Tia Barnes, was also arrested for contributing to his delinquency.

If you are facing challenges with a juvenile needing positive direction, reach out—we have resources. There are many community partners available that can provide you resources to assist with life skills, physical and emotional needs, and programming for youth. We are happy to steer you in the right direction. But ignoring the problem is no longer an option.” Chief William H. Penn, Jr. 

As a reminder, anyone with information about an incident should call our non-emergency number at 336-773-7700. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 336-727-2800 (English) or 336-728-3904 (Spanish). Individuals can also use the Text-A-Tip Program at 336-276-1717 to send text, photo, or video tips directly to WSPD Detectives. The WSPD remains committed to protecting, serving, and supporting our community 24/7, 365 days a year. A Crime Stoppers Tip Form is also available online: https://www.cityofws.org/FormCenter/Police-Department-19/Crimestoppers-Tip-Form-100

Write meta description 

Winston-Salem Police are investigating a shooting that left three people injured early Sunday morning in the 3600 block of Cash Drive.

Officers responded to the scene around 3:05 a.m. on July 6, 2025, following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found 22-year-old Anthony Ciriza suffering from gunshot wounds. Ciriza was transported to a local hospital by Forsyth County EMS and remains in critical but stable condition.

Two additional victims, 24-year-old Jesse Flores Colon and a juvenile, were taken to the hospital by private vehicles. Both sustained gunshot injuries. Colon is also listed in critical but stable condition, while the juvenile is reported to be in stable condition.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No arrests have been announced at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 336-773-7700. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 (English) or 336-728-3904 (Spanish). Residents can also send tips via text, photo, or video through the Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717, or by using the online Crime Stoppers Tip Form at cityofws.org.

The Winston-Salem Professional Firefighters Association, Local 682, has issued a public safety announcement warning residents about reduced fire protection coverage in parts of the city due to staffing shortages.

The union confirmed that Engine 18, which serves the Sherwood Forest neighborhood, has been placed out of service as a direct result of limited staffing. According to the firefighters, this decision reflects a larger issue impacting the fire department citywide.

“To be clear: Engine 18 is currently out of service solely due to staffing numbers,” the statement said. “This is a direct result of ongoing budget constraints placed on the department by the City Manager’s Office.”

The firefighters cautioned that this may not be the last unit affected. If staffing challenges continue, additional engines could be sidelined, potentially impacting emergency response times and public safety across Winston-Salem.

The union emphasized that the announcement is not meant to cause alarm but to be transparent about the risks facing the community.

“We understand that announcements like this can cause concern, frustration, or even anger,” they said. “The purpose of this message is not to stir division, but to inform and advocate for the safety of the public and the well-being of those who serve it.”

Local 682 reiterated their commitment to public safety and pledged to continue advocating for better staffing and resources.

“We will continue to speak openly about the conditions that affect your emergency services. For the men and women in uniform, we will always stand with you first.”

A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with a shooting that took place at Truist Park in Winston-Salem on the night of July 4, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Authorities said the teen, whose name is not being released due to age, faces the following charges:

• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

The charges stem from a shooting that occurred shortly after 10 p.m., just after a Fourth of July celebration at the stadium. A juvenile victim was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Truist Park, home to the Winston-Salem Dash minor league baseball team, was hosting the “Bolt, White & Blue Party” at the time of the incident. The event featured fireworks, live music, and a kid’s zone.

The investigation is ongoing.