On July 14, 2024, 64-year-old Guy Brown of Kinston, North Carolina, was fatally shot while working as a security guard at the Legacy Lounge in Ayden. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. during an event featuring Durham artist "Big YBA." Upon arrival, Ayden police officers found Brown with gunshot wounds; he was transported to ECU Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
At the scene, police arrested 31-year-old Eric Lee Midgette, also from Kinston, charging him with an open count of murder. Midgette was taken into custody without incident and held at the Pitt County Detention Center. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Guy Brown had recently celebrated his 64th birthday on July 12, 2024. He was employed by Chase Staffing Solutions as a security guard. His employer expressed condolences on social media following his tragic death. The Legacy Lounge, located on Highway 11 in Ayden, has not released a public statement regarding the incident.
The Ayden Police Department has urged anyone with additional information about the shooting to contact their Investigative Division at 252-481-5844 or to provide anonymous tips through the EZ Call hotline at 252-746-2730. Community members have been mourning Brown's passing, with many lighting candles and sharing memories on memorial websites dedicated to victims of gun violence.
