On March 15, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., 19-year-old Zion Sincere Wilder was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting at a residence on Goldsboro Avenue in Statesville, North Carolina. A 15-year-old boy, identified as Wilder's cousin, was also critically injured in the attack and transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment. At the time of the shooting, three adults and three juveniles, aged 14, 16, and 17, were present in the home.
Family members described the incident as an "ambush," noting that the assailants surrounded the house and opened fire, even targeting a vehicle on the property. Wilder's aunt, who was in the kitchen when the gunfire erupted, expressed her belief that the attack was personal. The residence sustained multiple bullet holes, indicating the severity of the assault.
In the days following the shooting, authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the crime. On March 17, 25-year-old Dakota Michael Duke was apprehended at his home in Troutman, North Carolina. The following day, 24-year-old Tevin D. Seymore was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Charleston, West Virginia. The final suspect, 22-year-old Javis Black, was captured on March 28 in Beckley, West Virginia. All three individuals face charges including murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The tragic death of Zion Sincere Wilder, who was a senior at Statesville High School and set to graduate in May, has deeply affected the local community. In response to the incident, Northview Academy and Statesville High School implemented remote learning days to ensure the safety of students and staff. Community leaders have called for proactive efforts to address gun violence and provide support for the youth in the area.
