Donald Girtley Jr., an 18-year-old male from Goldsboro, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on May 31, 2017, in Kinston, NC. The incident occurred at the Mitchell Wooten Housing Complex, where Girtley was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim, Demone Nesbitt, 23, of Kinston, was also shot and later died en route to Vidant Medical Center.
The Kinston Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the double homicide.
A 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with the murders of Donald Girtley Jr. and Demone Nesbitt. The suspect's name was not released due to his status as a minor. The police indicated that the shooting was not a random act, although one of the victims appeared to be an unintended target. Authorities also explored the possibility that the murders were connected to a series of shootings in the Goldsboro area over Memorial Day weekend.
In addition to the primary suspect, another individual, Nicholas Xavier Edwards, 18, of Kinston, was charged with felony obstruction of justice in connection with the case. The investigation into the murders of Donald Girtley Jr. and Demone Nesbitt remains ongoing, with the Kinston Police Department continuing to seek additional information and potential suspects. The community has been deeply affected by the loss, with family members and friends holding vigils and prayer services to honor the victims and call for an end to gun violence.
