CLASS RACER FORUM - Sterling Simmons

I have stayed there my self. He was always very good to us. Even loaned me a vehicle once so I could run over to my sons in Havelock. Sad to see this looks like he had some mental health problems creeping up in his older years. Too bad someone did not step in to help him before it got to this. Glad all of those he wounded are going to be OK.

Vanceboro
Multiple People Shot Outside Vanceboro

VANCEBORO, NC (WITN) - An elderly Craven County man has now been charged with Tuesday's shooting spree outside of Vanceboro, while all of the victims are now out of the hospital.

Sheriff Jerry Monette tells WITN News that John Jenkins is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Monette says the man was irate at the tree trimmers and wounded three people before an officer returned fire and injured him.

The SBI has identified that officer as Jason Lovick with the Vanceboro Police Department. Officer Lovick has been placed on administrative leave with pay until the SBI investigation into the shooting is completed, which is standard procedure in such shootings.

Monette says the call came in around 4:43 p.m. of a shooting on Streets Ferry Road about a quarter to a half mile from West Craven High School.

The sheriff said it appears the 82-year-old Jenkins had an emotional or mental health issue.

Two tree trimmers, Angelo Williams and Brian Holden, were wounded first by a shotgun. Williams was stuck in the face, while Holden was hit by pellets in his mid-torso.

Authorities say Jenkins then went down the road and fired at two other workers who were in bucket trucks. They were not hit.

A few minutes later Billy Dail, who lives on Streets Ferry Road, was shot. Dail was wounded as he was trying to direct traffic away from the active shooting scene. He was hit on the left side of the face, head and hand.

The sheriff says Jenkins will be taken into custody on the initial charge, once he is released from Vidant Medical Center. Monette says at that point numerous other charges will be brought against the man.

Jenkins, who was hit in the face and head, is listed in critical condition at Vidant this afternoon.

The sheriff says the suspect suffers from dementia and old age and that they have dealt with him in the past. Monette says the man is a Korean War veteran who may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.

Asked why Jenkins was upset, the sheriff says he's not sure. Monette says possibly the company, Townsend Tree Service, trimmed some trees and didn't remove limbs from his property.

Monette says Jenkins probably shot at between ten and twelve people.