On March 18, 2023, at approximately 1:40 p.m., officers from the Kinston Police Department (KPD) responded to a report of an unresponsive individual near 500 Marcella Drive in Kinston, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 16-year-old Jayden Quan'ran Rome'l Ellis, a student at Kinston High School, who had succumbed to a gunshot wound.
The investigation revealed that prior to Ellis's death, a vehicle theft had occurred on March 17 at 701 W. Vernon Avenue.
The stolen vehicle was later recovered, missing a firearm, loose change, and a cell phone. Additionally, a breaking and entering incident was reported at an unoccupied residence on Hyman Avenue, where clothing and shoes were stolen. Surveillance footage and community tips linked the suspects in these crimes to Ellis's murder.
On March 23, 2023, KPD arrested a 17-year-old male suspect in connection with Ellis's murder. The juvenile, whose identity was withheld due to age, was charged with murder, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen property. He was already in custody for the vehicle theft when charged with Ellis's murder.
Further investigation led to the arrest of a second 17-year-old Kinston juvenile on April 4, 2023. This individual was charged with Ellis's murder and the vehicle theft. Both juveniles were held in a juvenile detention facility pending court appearances.
Additionally, on April 4, 2023, 41-year-old Lanesha Lawrence of Kinston was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder and obstruction of justice. She was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond.
The Kinston Police Department emphasized the importance of community involvement in solving this case and indicated that more arrests were expected as the investigation continued.
