On the evening of April 4, 2023, in Windsor, North Carolina, 68-year-old Ricky Mel Gilliam was fatally shot at his residence on Governors Road. According to reports, around 9:39 p.m., Gilliam responded to his doorbell; as he approached the door, multiple gunshots were fired from outside, striking him several times. A relative present in the home immediately contacted emergency services. Despite deputies performing CPR upon arrival, Gilliam was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gilliam was a well-respected member of the community, known for his dedication to family and work. Born on February 1, 1955, he graduated from Bertie County School in 1973 and attended North Carolina A&T State University. He later joined Weyerhaeuser Industry, where he developed a lifelong passion for the lumber industry. In 1980, he married Cenda Jefferson Cooper, and together they raised two children, James Bernard Cooper and Kimberly Gilliam Mobley. Gilliam was also a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, deeply cherished by his extended family.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Bertie County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, launched an intensive investigation. Deputies canvassed the neighborhood, collected evidence, and reviewed surveillance footage. Despite these efforts, no immediate leads or suspects emerged. Authorities appealed to the public for information, urging anyone who had noticed suspicious activity in the area between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the night of the murder to come forward.
As of October 2024, the case remains unsolved. Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin has reiterated the need for public assistance, emphasizing that any information, no matter how minor it may seem, could be crucial in solving the case and bringing closure to Gilliam's family. The community continues to mourn the loss of a beloved member, while law enforcement persists in their efforts to apprehend those responsible for this tragic crime.
