On the evening of May 7, 2026, the life of 42-year-old Edward Duncan Jr., a resident of Smithfield, North Carolina, was tragically cut short in a shooting that unfolded in Goldsboro. The incident occurred at approximately 8:38 p.m. in the 100 block of Vanderbilt Circle. Goldsboro Police Department officers were dispatched to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter alert, which indicates possible gunfire. While on their way, they received further information that a person had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers found Edward Duncan Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to UNC Health Wayne for medical attention but was later pronounced dead.
The investigation into the death of Edward Duncan Jr. was promptly taken over by the Goldsboro Police Department's Investigative Services Bureau. In the days following the shooting, their efforts led to the identification of two suspects, both of whom were juveniles from Goldsboro. The community was shaken by the ages of those believed to be responsible: a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old. The investigation revealed that the firearm allegedly used in the incident had been reported stolen.
The arrests of the two young suspects unfolded with a degree of tension. At one point, investigators received information that the 16-year-old was at Goldsboro High School, which prompted a temporary lockdown of the campus as a precautionary measure. However, authorities later determined that the teen had already left the school grounds before they arrived. The lockdown was lifted once the area was deemed safe for students and staff. Subsequently, the 16-year-old was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder. The 12-year-old suspect was located at a residence in Goldsboro and was also taken into custody without incident. He faced more extensive charges, including murder, larceny of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. Following his arrest, the 12-year-old was transported to a juvenile detention facility. The 16-year-old was also being held pending a court appearance. As of the latest available reports, the investigation into the death of Edward Duncan Jr. remains active and ongoing, with the legal proceedings for the two juvenile suspects yet to be concluded.
