Ryan Apollo Morgan, a 32-year-old male, was tragically shot and killed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, on July 31, 2016. Morgan, who was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, was found with gunshot wounds in the 100 block of North Center Street around 2:30 a.m. He was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Morgan had served in the United States Marine Corps and completed three tours in Iraq before joining the Air Force as a contract specialist.
The investigation into Morgan's death revealed that he was one of five recent unsolved murders in Goldsboro at the time. The community came together to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Despite the efforts of the Goldsboro Police Department and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the case remained unsolved for several months.
On January 13, 2017, a breakthrough occurred when a warrant was issued for the arrest of Bobby Mandrell Williams, a 36-year-old male, in connection with Morgan's murder. Williams, who was already in custody at the Greene County Detention Center on unrelated charges, was charged with murder and held without bond pending his first appearance in Wayne County District Court. The arrest was the result of continued interviews with potential witnesses and follow-up on leads by investigators.
Morgan's death highlighted the ongoing issue of violent crime in Goldsboro, with the city's homicide rate increasing by 14 percent year-over-year. In response, the Goldsboro Police Department implemented a new gang initiative and outreach programs to reduce violent crime and prevent youth from joining gangs.
