Winston-Salem, NC – On the afternoon of March 27, 2017, a violent shooting erupted in the 900 block of Rich Avenue, leaving 19-year-old Ladawn Deion Morgan dead and a community searching for answers.
Just after 2 p.m., multiple vehicles pulled up to a home on Rich Avenue. Gunfire broke out between the individuals who arrived and those already at the residence. Morgan, who was standing near the porch, was struck in the abdomen during the exchange of gunfire. He was rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
In the chaos, a second victim, 79-year-old Alexander Eugene Barber Jr., was shot in the face while sitting in his car reading the Bible a block away from the scene. Barber survived the attack, though his injuries were severe.
Detectives determined the shooting was not random and was linked to an ongoing dispute between two groups. Investigators also stated that Morgan was not the intended target of the attack.
Despite leads, the case remains unsolved. In a 2018 update, Winston-Salem police released a suspect description: a Black male with dreadlocks past his shoulders, who reportedly fled the state shortly after the shooting but later returned to North Carolina. Authorities have not made an arrest, and the case continues to weigh heavily on Morgan’s family and the community.
Law enforcement has stressed that resolving this case will require public assistance. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.
Family and friends of Morgan have held vigils to keep his memory alive and continue to push for justice in a case that has remained cold for more than eight years.