On November 7, 2024, at approximately 12:06 a.m., Kinston Police Department officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Harvey Street. Upon arrival, they discovered 35-year-old Melvin Lofton lying unresponsive outside a Jeep SUV. Lofton had sustained a gunshot wound and, despite officers' attempts at life-saving measures, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that the initial shooting incident occurred in the 500 block of Harvey Street. Through their investigation, detectives identified two suspects: 21-year-old Jeramiah Golphin of Snow Hill and 26-year-old Kobe Sheppard of Kinston. Both individuals were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy. Golphin was apprehended on November 12, 2024, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, and the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Sheppard was taken into custody on November 14, 2024, by the Kinston Police Department's SWAT team and the SBI. Both suspects are being held at the Lenoir County Jail under secured bonds.
Major Brandon Turner of the Kinston Police Department indicated that Lofton likely knew the suspects, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. He stated, "We do believe that he knew the suspects and potentially had a close relationship with them." The investigation involved multiple agencies, highlighting the collaborative effort required in such cases. Turner emphasized the importance of community involvement in solving crimes and encouraged residents to continue providing information to the police.
A funeral service for Melvin Leon Lofton III, known to many as "Mel," was held on November 16, 2024, at Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, followed by burial at Parrott Cemetery. Visitation took place on November 15, 2024, at R. Swinson Funeral Service. The community mourns his loss and extends condolences to his family and friends during this sorrowful time.
