On October 23, 2020, at approximately 10:51 a.m., deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of N.C. Highway 41 South and Turkey Branch Road in Fairmont, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 19-year-old Takira Grissett and a 14-year-old male juvenile, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to Southeastern Health for medical treatment; however, Takira Grissett was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The 14-year-old male was treated for his injuries and was expected to recover.
Following the incident, 23-year-old Justin Joseph Brown of Fairmont surrendered to law enforcement authorities. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, felonious restraint, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault by pointing a gun. Brown was placed in the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center without bond.
In December 2021, it was reported that due to a technical error in the court calendar, Brown's case was postponed to March 2022. At that time, Brown's attorney, Johnson Britt, indicated plans to file a notice for a probable cause hearing if an indictment had not been secured by the next court date. The delay was attributed to various factors, including the volume of violent crimes and delays in information from law enforcement.
Takira Latonya Grissett, born on December 2, 2000, was a 2019 graduate of Fairmont High School. She was remembered by family and friends in her obituary, which noted her passing at the age of 19.
As of the latest available information, the legal proceedings against Justin Joseph Brown were ongoing, with the case scheduled for a hearing in March 2022. No further updates have been provided regarding the outcome of the trial or any additional developments in the case.
