Willie Travon Smith, a 25-year-old African American male from Greenville, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on May 23, 2013. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Griffin Street, where Willie Smith was found with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at Vidant Medical Center. The shooting also left another victim, Deontra Wilkes, 23, with gunshot wounds to his lower body and legs.
The investigation into Willie Smith's death led to the arrest of multiple suspects.
Jerrell Antwan Jenkins, 28, of Hamilton, and Demontai Battle, 21, of Rocky Mount, were charged with an open count of murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of felony conspiracy to commit murder, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. Another suspect, Jonathan Wooten, 28, of Rocky Mount, was also implicated in the crime and was being held in the N.C. Department of Corrections before being transferred to Greenville. A fourth suspect, Tahkaeem Staton, 21, was arrested and charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of felony conspiracy.
The suspects were accused of a fatal shooting during a robbery on the night of May 23. The court proceedings revealed the brutal nature of the crime, with the suspects facing significant charges and high bonds. Staton's bond was set at $2,150,000, while Jenkins and Wooten also faced substantial bonds. The community was deeply affected by the loss of Willie Smith and the violent circumstances surrounding his death. The legal process aimed to bring justice to the victims and their families, with the suspects facing severe penalties for their actions.
