A quiet Monday evening in Goldsboro, North Carolina, was violently disrupted by the sound of gunfire, ending the life of Daniel Perez-Benitez, a 23-year-old man from the city. The fatal shooting took place on October 19, 2026, leaving a family to mourn and a community searching for answers in a city that has long worked to address issues of violent crime.
The incident began to unfold around 10 p.m.
when the Goldsboro Police Department started receiving calls about numerous shots being fired in the vicinity of 3201 Central Heights Road. This address is part of the Tanglewood Mobile Home Park, a residential area in the eastern part of Goldsboro. As police units were dispatched, callers provided a grim update to Wayne County Dispatch: a man had been shot.
Officers arrived at the scene to find Daniel Perez-Benitez with several gunshot wounds. Emergency services rendered aid and quickly transported him to UNC Health Wayne for medical treatment. Despite the efforts of the hospital's staff, Perez-Benitez succumbed to the severity of his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The Goldsboro Police Department’s Investigative Services Bureau immediately launched a homicide investigation. Detectives and crime scene technicians secured the area within the mobile home park to collect evidence and interview potential witnesses who might have seen or heard something that could lead to the killer. In the initial hours and days of the investigation, police did not release any information regarding a possible motive for the attack or a description of any suspects. The specific circumstances that led to the shooting remain unknown to the public.
This was not the first time the Tanglewood Mobile Home Park had been the scene of a serious shooting. Less than a year earlier, in December 2025, three other young men were shot and injured in the same 3200 block of Central Heights Road. That case led to the arrest of a juvenile on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery.
In the wake of Daniel Perez-Benitez's death, the community was left on edge. The city of Goldsboro, located in Wayne County, has experienced a violent crime rate significantly higher than both the state and national averages in recent years. This context adds to the public's concern when a young life is cut short by gunfire with no immediate arrests.
As of late October 2026, the investigation into the murder of Daniel Perez-Benitez is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Goldsboro Police Department is urging the public to come forward with any information that could be relevant to the case. Authorities emphasize that even a small, seemingly insignificant detail could be the key to breaking the case open and achieving justice for Perez-Benitez and his loved ones.
Wayne County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to a felony arrest. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can contact the program by calling or texting 919-735-2255 or by submitting a tip online. The case remains unsolved, a painful open wound for a grieving family and a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence.
