WILMINGTON — The police have made arrests in a case involving two drive-by shootings near Metting Road earlier this month.
READ MORE: Juvenile facing charges after firearm found in Darlington Avenue area
On Dec. 8, the first occurred in the Market North Apartments community, several rounds striking and entering a family’s residence with children present. Investigated by the Wilmington Police Department Gun Crimes Unit, multiple search warrants were executed in both New Hanover and Brunswick counties and resulted in the seizure of evidence and arrests.
WPD apprehended the suspected driver, 20-year-old Jayden Pearson of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Brandon Smith Jr. of Winnabow.
Pearson is being held without and bond for charges including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharge firearm enclosure, and felony conspiracy.
Smith is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharge firearm enclosure, and possession of firearm by felon.
The Cape Fear Regional SWAT team, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the NC State Bureau of Investigation, and ATF assisted in the case.
“There is no place within our community for illegal gun crimes and our agency will not tolerate it in any shape or form,” WPD Chief Donny Williams said in a release. “It is a miracle that no one was struck during this shooting and this type of violence has to stop. We will continue to go after offenders who seek to terrorize our city. We will stop at nothing to put them behind bars and bring them to justice. I am also grateful to our partner agencies for their continued assistance as we work to continue to make Wilmington a safer place to live.”
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