JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Jacksonville Police are asking for the public’s help regarding a shooting incident that happened early Sunday morning.
According to the JPD, at approximately 1:12 AM on Sunday, officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Sturgeon City, located at 50 Court Street.
Upon arrival, officers say they discovered 25-year-old Dominique Rhodes of Jacksonville with a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead. A second gunshot victim was identified as 18-year-old Alexis Ramsay, also of Jacksonville. Ramsay was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital prior to officers arriving, and was later transported to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville for serious injuries.
“Director of Public Safety, Chief Mike Yaniero has told me that the incident is an isolated case and the investigation is ongoing,” Jacksonville Mayor Sammy Phillips said Monday.
“This is an open and ongoing investigation and detectives are continuing to follow up on leads,” said Capt. Mike Capps.
“Crime is not tolerated in the City and those responsible when caught, will be prosecuted,” Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero said.
On Monday, the City of Jacksonville released this statement about Sturgeon City.
“The site at 50 Court Street was originally the City’s wastewater treatment plant. For decades, Sturgeon City has hosted environmental education programs at the facility through the non-profit.
“The City leases the land to the independent non-profit for their use. Sturgeon City is not managed by the City of Jacksonville, but the City has supported their efforts to clean up Wilson Bay and provide educational programming for students and visitors. The City led a community effort in the 1990s to clean up Wilson Bay and the New River. The concept for Sturgeon City emerged as a part of this effort.
“Sturgeon City Park and the boardwalk along Wilson Bay are public spaces bordering the site.
“Representatives of Sturgeon City have told Jacksonville officials that the environmental education center was being rented at the time of the incident and that the parties involved misled Sturgeon City staff about the type of event being held. Staff are cooperating fully with police and are looking at ways to make sure this type of incident will not happen again.”
“Sturgeon City has long been a place of pride and renewal for this community and we will continue to champion their educational efforts,” Jacksonville City Manager Richard Woodruff said. “We want Sturgeon City to remain a place where we can all come to enjoy the outdoors, learn about the preservation of our coastal areas and improving the health of our local waterways.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact JPD Criminal Investigations Division Detective Ashley Gilley at 910-938-6407 agilley@jacksonvillenc.gov or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273.
