Walter Kyle Irving Cooley, a 26-year-old male from Ayden, NC, tragically lost his life on July 20, 2022. The incident occurred at Le Le Convenient Mart on Lee Street, where Ayden police responded to a report of a possible gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers found two men who had been shot. Walter Kyle Irving Cooley was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other victim, Keenan Damond Smith, 25, also from Winterville, succumbed to his injuries at ECU Health Medical Center.
The investigation into the double homicide led officers to identify Akyree Ronnell Collins-Smith, a 23-year-old male from Greenville, as the suspect. Collins-Smith was arrested in Durham with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, Greenville Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, and the State Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Apprehension Team.
The arrest of Collins-Smith marked a significant development in the case. However, no further information regarding the charges or the motive behind the shooting was released at the time. The Ayden Police Department continued to seek information from the public to aid in their investigation.
The tragic deaths of Walter Kyle Irving Cooley and Keenan Damond Smith left the community in mourning. A candlelight vigil was held at the convenience store to honor their memory and bring the community together in the wake of the senseless violence.
