James Walter Godette Jr., a 29-year-old African American male from Morehead City, North Carolina, was tragically killed on March 24, 2015, in Havelock, NC. Godette was visiting a friend at the Havelock Inn when he was shot multiple times on a second-story balcony. The incident occurred during a shootout involving three other men. According to Havelock Police Chief David Magnusson, the gun battle began soon after the three alleged assailants pulled their car into the motel's parking lot.
The suspects used the car as a defensive shield while firing at Godette, who was descending a flight of outdoor stairs when the shooting began. All four men were armed, and the exchange of gunfire resulted in Godette's death at the scene.
The police were quick to respond, arriving at the scene within a minute of hearing the gunfire. Two suspects, Tornez Hargett, 34, of New Bern, NC, and his cousin Anthony Hargett, 42, of Havelock, NC, were arrested in connection with the murder. Tornez Hargett was apprehended at the scene, while Anthony Hargett was arrested later that day after receiving medical treatment for a gunshot wound to his wrist. Both men faced first-degree murder charges. A third suspect remained on the run following the incident.
The investigation into Godette's death revealed that the shootout was a result of a confrontation between the suspects and Godette. The exact motive behind the altercation remains unclear, but the swift response by law enforcement led to the apprehension of two of the three suspects involved. The case garnered significant attention in the local community, as residents mourned the loss of a young man whose life was cut short by violence. The legal proceedings against the Hargett cousins continued as authorities sought to bring justice for James Walter Godette Jr. and his family.
