On February 27, 2024, shortly after midnight, 18-year-old Jamari De'Jon Haskins of Chesapeake, Virginia, was fatally shot at a residence on Madison Street in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Upon arrival, police found multiple individuals at the scene, including Haskins, who was pronounced dead. The initial report to 911 described the incident as a drive-by shooting; however, subsequent investigations revealed that Haskins was shot inside the residence.
The Roanoke Rapids Police Department faced challenges during the investigation due to uncooperative witnesses providing limited information. Despite these obstacles, detectives conducted thorough forensic examinations and interviews, leading to the arrest of 26-year-old Roanoke Rapids resident Demarcus Tyvon Gilbert. During questioning, Gilbert confessed to the shooting and was charged with first-degree murder. He was detained without bond, with a court appearance scheduled for March 28, 2024.
Further investigation uncovered attempts to conceal the crime. Authorities charged 34-year-old Alicia Shoulders, the resident of the Madison Street home, with obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to law enforcement and assisting in cleaning up the crime scene before police arrived. She surrendered to police, received a $50,000 bond, and was scheduled to appear in court on March 28, 2024.
Additionally, two individuals from Emporia, Virginia—18-year-old Kenneth Amari Adkins and 30-year-old Thomas Lee Parham—were charged with obstruction of justice. They were accused of helping to clean the crime scene and providing false statements to officers. Adkins surrendered to authorities, received a $50,000 bond, and had a court date set for March 15, 2024. Parham had not been taken into custody at the time of the reports.
The motive behind Haskins' presence at the Madison Street residence and the circumstances leading to his death remained unclear. The Roanoke Rapids Police Department continued to investigate, seeking justice for Haskins and his family. Chief Shane Guyant expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from witnesses, emphasizing the department's commitment to resolving the case despite these challenges.
