On the evening of October 3, 2020, at approximately 5:45 PM, Goldsboro Police Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1100 block of Olivia Lane. Upon arrival, they discovered 57-year-old African American male, Kenneth "Ookie" Raiford, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency Medical Services transported him to Wayne UNC Healthcare for treatment. Despite medical efforts, Mr. Raiford succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Kenneth Raiford was born on April 21, 1963, to the late Jacob Leon and Cherrie Lee Raiford in Wayne County, North Carolina. He attended Wayne County Public Schools and later acquired a trade in brick masonry through Job Corps. He worked at Borden manufacturers until his health declined, after which he engaged in various odd jobs around town. He was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his three daughters, Carolina McNeil, Latasha Pickett, and Temekia Pickett, all of Goldsboro, NC; four brothers; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Following an investigation, 29-year-old Linwood I. Grantham of La Grange was identified as a suspect in the shooting death of Mr. Raiford. On December 4, 2020, Grantham was arrested at his residence without incident by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. He was charged with murder and placed in the custody of the Wayne County Detention Center without bond.
The arrest of Linwood Grantham brought some measure of closure to the tragic death of Kenneth Raiford. The community mourned the loss of the 57-year-old African American man, remembering him for his dedication to his family and his contributions to the local community. The legal proceedings against Grantham were anticipated to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
