BY MILES LAYTON

ELIZABETH CITY — A late-night shooting on Lane Street left one man dead and two others injured in Elizabeth City on Sunday, July 27, prompting an urgent call for community engagement from city leaders and law enforcement.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:04 p.m. in the 500 block of Lane Street. Officers with the Elizabeth City Police Department responded to reports of multiple gunshots and arrived to find three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Xavier Garland, 21, of Lane Street, was pronounced dead at the scene. Darnell Jones, 21, of Shillington Road, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Nineteen-year-old Kashaun Stokley of Cypress Street was also transported to Sentara Norfolk with life-threatening injuries.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” Interim Police Chief Eddie Graham said during a Wednesday press conference. “Our hearts are with the families and victims. We understand the deep impact that these events have on the community.”

Graham stressed the need for public cooperation and unity to combat violence in the city. “We are steadfast in our commitment to reducing violent crime in Elizabeth City,” he said. “But the police alone cannot solve this. Victims, witnesses, neighbors, and families must join together and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

The police chief urged residents to assist not only in reporting crimes, but also in supporting investigations through the judicial process. “Each step matters,” Graham said. “From the initial call to final conviction — we need your commitment.”

Multiple shell casings were recovered from the scene. While police have not confirmed a motive or made any arrests, Graham did respond to speculation that the shooting may have been gang- or drug-related.

“What I can tell you is that this was an isolated incident,” he said. “There is no ongoing threat to the community at this point.”

During the press conference, several community members questioned the police department’s visible presence in the neighborhood following the shooting. One resident described walking and biking through the area the next day for hours, expecting to see increased patrols or checkpoints.

“To be very honest with you, I didn’t feel that energy at all,” the resident said. “The regular criminal activity was still going on 24 hours later. No one felt any heat from the police.”

In response, Graham said officers and detectives were active in the area, though not always in marked vehicles. “You may not have seen a police car, but the detectives were out there conducting follow-ups, gathering evidence, and doing their work,” he said. “We’re making it uncomfortable for people committing crimes in this city. It’s not going to be as easy for them as they think.”

Graham acknowledged concerns about youth in the neighborhood and emphasized the department’s efforts to engage with the next generation. “We’re trying to push forward the Community Engagement Committee,” he said. “It’s made up of residents who work directly with the police department and the police chief to address concerns in their neighborhoods. Applications are available online on both the city and police department websites.”

He also discussed the city’s curfew ordinance, which applies to individuals under 18. “It’s been on the books for years,” Graham said. “Monday through Thursday, the curfew is 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, it’s midnight. The first time we catch a juvenile out after hours, we bring them to the department and call their parents. The second time, parents receive a citation.”

As part of ongoing crime reduction efforts, Graham announced that the city will reopen its police substation at Shepherd and Road streets, with a targeted launch by late August or early September. The substation, which has been closed for years, will house community officers assigned specifically to the neighborhood.

When asked if any officers are currently stationed in the Lane Street area on a sustained basis, Graham said officers are assigned to various sectors of the city and rotate through their areas. “Whoever is assigned to that sector will be patrolling in and out regularly,” he said.

Despite frustrations expressed by residents, Graham reaffirmed his department’s dedication to both accountability and visibility. “We’re out there,” he said. “We’re increasing traffic stops, creating pressure points, and using data to deploy resources where needed. We have to work together. The community must be part of the solution.”

He concluded the press conference by repeating the call for tips and cooperation. “If you know anything — anything at all — contact us,” he said. “You can reach us at 252-335-4321, the crime line at 252-335-5555, or the anonymous tip line at 252-390-8477. All tips are 100% confidential.”

As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been announced. Elizabeth City Police Department officials said updates will be shared with the media as new information becomes available.

Since Jan. 1, there has been a total of 15 incidents with 15 gunshot victims, including 3 deaths – in Elizabeth City. Data comes from ECPD reports. Will public safety become an issue in the mayoral election between Kirk Rivers, who is running for reelection, Christina Williams and Jamie Noble — municipal election is Oct. 7.

ECPD have been busy in recent months — Toby Keith/Willie Nelson’s song “Beer for my horses” comes to mind:   

• Jan 20 – Shots were fired at three teenagers in the Parkview Drive area. No injuries were reported, but shell casings were recovered.
• February 1 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired in the area of White Street and Herrington Road, officers discovered Tyell Britt, 26, of Elizabeth City had been shot – he was flown to Norfolk General Hospital for treatment. 
• February 8 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired around 11:30 a.m. within the 700 block of Southern Avenue, officers discovered Dominic Townes, 39, of Elizabeth City had been shot. Malik L. Harrell, 25, of Elizabeth City, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and intent to kill.  
• March 10 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired around 5 p.m. by the 400 building of Walkers Landing Apartments, officers discovered an apartment had been struck by gunfire while occupied by a mother and two children. Rontrez T. Coleman, 21, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, shooting into an occupied dwelling, damage to property and shooting in the city limits.  
• April 24 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired around 8 p.m. in the 1000 block of Walkers Avenue, they discovered several shell casings and how several apartments were hit by gunfire. Joshua T. Marquette, 22, of Elizabeth City was arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling.   
• Apr 27 – In the early morning hours of Sunday, a shooting occurred at the center of campus at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) following Yard Fest, part of the Viking Fest events held in the quad area, according to a press release from ECSU. Six people were wounded, four of them by gunshots, with Isaiah Caldwell, 24, being killed, while the other two were injured in the commotion.  
• April 29 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired around 5 p.m. in the area by Herrington Road and Brown Street, they discovered and recovered shell casings. Joseph Richard Small Jr., 23, of Hertford was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, armed terror of people, discharge of a firearm in city limits and a probation violation. A juvenile was also arrested.  
• May 9 – Gideon C. Griffin Jr. was shot and killed in his apartment at Walker Landing Apartments. Joseph Earl Simmons, 45, was arrested and charged with murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied property.  
• June 5 – When ECPD responded to a call of shots fired in the area of West Ehringhaus Street, officers discovered several subjects were firing shots. Derontae Norfleet, 18, and a juvenile were arrested — each charged with two counts of shooting into an unoccupied property. No one was hit.
• Jun 20 – There was a shooting incident around 4:30 p.m. Friday in the 1500 block of West Ehringhouse St. Lamont Riddick, 47, was shot in the leg and transported to Sentara Norfolk Hospital in stable condition. Brandon Lamar Harris, 39, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/serious injury. A warrant was issued for Tremanye Tobias Harris, 30, for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflicting serious injury, and possession of a firearm by a felon. 
• July 7 – ECPD responded to a report of shots fired around 4:28 a.m. within the 400 block of West Colonial Avenue – shell casings recovered, with one residence struck by gunfire. Nearby, within the 200 block of Bell Street, two juveniles with gunshot injuries were transported with non-life threatening injuries were transported to Albemarle Sentara Hospital.   
• July 10 – ECPD responded to a report of shots fired around 11:40 a.m. within the 400 block of Tatem Lane – shell casings recovered with one residence struck by gunfire. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Devone Jerrell Williams, 36, of Winfall, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a weapon into an occupied property. ECPD said Williams is considered armed and dangerous. 
• July 20 – A 32-year-old Perquimans County man is hospitalized in serious condition following an officer-involved shooting Saturday afternoon in Elizabeth City. According to a press release from the Elizabeth City Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 12:40 p.m. July 20. An officer responded to the area of Hughes Boulevard and Halstead Boulevard after receiving a report of a subject armed with a weapon. When the officer arrived at the scene, they encountered a man who was in possession of a firearm. During the encounter, the officer discharged their weapon, striking the subject. Officers on the scene rendered immediate medical assistance until Pasquotank County EMS arrived. The man was first transported to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center before being transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, for further treatment. The man’s name has not been released to the media.
• July 22 – When ECPD responded to a report of shots fired Tuesday, July 22, in the 500 block of Ehringhaus Street, officers assisted a juvenile who had been shot was taken to Norfolk Sentara Hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.