In the early hours of July 7, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred at a house party in Roper, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 27-year-old Verrick Kadeem "Punni" Parks. The incident took place around 4:00 AM at a residence located at 12256 Highway 32 North. Upon arrival, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Department found multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, Parks, a resident of Chowan County, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
In addition to Parks' fatal injuries, three other individuals were wounded during the shooting. Chowan County residents Daniel Hurdle and Tyreek Welch sustained gunshot wounds to the foot, with Hurdle also being shot in the arm. Another victim, Jaquori Wilson from Bertie County, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was reported to be in critical condition following the incident.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, launched an investigation into the shooting. As of the latest available information, authorities have not announced any arrests or identified any suspects connected to the case. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have urged anyone with information to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office or the North Carolina SBI.
In the wake of this tragedy, Parks' family organized a funeral service to honor his memory. A GoFundMe campaign was established by his mother, Trina Parks, to assist with funeral expenses and to support Verrick's four children. The campaign highlighted the family's grief and the financial challenges they faced during this difficult time.
The community of Roper and the surrounding areas were deeply affected by the incident, as such acts of violence are uncommon in the region. Local authorities and community leaders have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in bringing those responsible to justice and in preventing future tragedies.
