On December 20, 2024, at approximately 12:10 a.m., Greene County deputies and EMS personnel responded to a residence on Royce Drive in the Jason area of Snow Hill, North Carolina, following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered 62-year-old Melvin Ray Hawkins with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to provide medical assistance, Hawkins was transported to ECU Health, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigations revealed that Hawkins and 40-year-old Emmanuel Williams had engaged in an altercation at the residence. Witnesses reported that Hawkins had asked Williams to leave, leading to the shooting. Williams fled the scene but returned while deputies were present, appearing with injuries. He was subsequently transported to UNC Wayne Memorial for treatment of lacerations. Williams had an outstanding arrest order for failing to appear in court on previous traffic violations. He was arrested and charged with an open count of murder.
Williams is currently being held at the Greene County Detention Center without bond. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
