By Miles Layton

PLYMOUTH — As a series of shootings has rattled Plymouth in recent months, local law enforcement is beginning to show results, with multiple arrests across several cases — including two new suspects tied to a January gunfire incident that left three people wounded.

The Plymouth Police Department announced Monday that two individuals have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 2 shooting on East Main Street, a case that marked one of the earliest violent incidents in what has become a troubling start to the year.

At the same time, recent developments in other investigations — including a homicide arrest, a suspect surrender in a double shooting, and ongoing multi-agency cooperation — point to what officials say is steady, methodical police work aimed at restoring public safety.

Two Arrested in East Main Street Shooting

The latest arrests came Monday, March 16, as officers took two Plymouth men into custody in connection with the Jan. 2 disturbance.

First, officers arrested Jah’Barie Rayquan Ford, 20, at the Washington County Probation Office. Ford was served with a warrant charging him with one count of Felony Inciting a Riot.

He was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was held under no bond pending judicial review.

Later that afternoon, at approximately 2:25 p.m., officers arrested Cameron Dalan Cross, 19, at the Plymouth Police Department. Cross faces one count of Felony Inciting a Riot and one count of Misdemeanor Discharging a Firearm in City Limits.

He was also taken before a magistrate and held under no bond pending further court action.

The charges stem from a chaotic incident that unfolded around 3:39 p.m. Jan. 2 in the 500 block of East Main Street, where a fight escalated into gunfire.

Responding officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds: a 19-year-old male with a leg injury, a 51-year-old female with an arm injury, and a 26-year-old female with a neck injury.

Investigators determined that “a fight among several individuals escalated, leading multiple suspects to fire weapons.”

Police say the case is still active, with additional warrants already obtained and more arrests expected.

Pattern of Violence, But Progress in Cases

The East Main Street shooting is one of several incidents that have put Plymouth on edge in early 2026. However, law enforcement officials say the steady pace of arrests reflects strong investigative work and coordination among agencies.

In February, Plymouth Police secured a major arrest in a deadly shooting on West Water Street.

Officers responded on Feb. 16 to a report of gunfire at 308 W. Water St., Apartment C, where they found 31-year-old Quadree Khalil Pettiford suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center, where he later died.

The following day, Jeffrey Haughton II, 36, of Roper, voluntarily surrendered at the Plymouth Police Department.

Haughton was charged with First Degree Murder, Breaking or Entering with Intent to Terrorize or Injure, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He was taken into custody without incident and formally served with the warrants.

That quick turnaround — from shooting to surrender within roughly 24 hours — demonstrated what authorities describe as effective investigative pressure and community awareness.

Additional Arrest in Wilkins Farm Road Shooting

More recently, another suspect turned himself in following a separate shooting that injured two people.

On March 10, deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired on Wilkins Farm Road. They found a vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

Two victims — Robmez Lewis, 20, and a juvenile — were treated at Washington County Regional Hospital for serious gunshot wounds.

Following an investigation, authorities identified Keontae Sanders as a suspect. He later turned himself in on March 12 and now faces two counts of attempted murder along with additional weapons charges.

Fatal Shooting of Teen Remains Under Investigation

While arrests have been made in several cases, one of the most tragic incidents remains under active investigation.

A 16-year-old boy died early March 12 after being shot in the 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue.

Deputies and Plymouth police responded around 1 a.m. to a report of gunfire and found the teen suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Washington County Regional Hospital, where he later died.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the case, and authorities have not yet released the victim’s name.

The shooting came just hours after tensions earlier in the day led to a lockdown at a local high school and the closure of schools across the county, underscoring the broader community impact of the violence.

Multi-Agency Effort Driving Results

Across all of these cases, one consistent factor has been cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies.

In the East Main Street investigation, Plymouth Police specifically credited the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their assistance.

That level of coordination has become increasingly important as investigators work to solve complex cases involving multiple suspects and overlapping incidents.

The use of outside resources, including state-level investigative support, has helped local officers process evidence, track suspects, and build cases that can stand up in court.

Community Urged to Assist

Despite the progress, officials emphasize that several investigations remain ongoing and that community cooperation is critical.

The Plymouth Police Department has indicated that additional arrests are expected in the Jan. 2 case, suggesting that more individuals were involved in the violence on East Main Street.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.

Individuals with knowledge about the January shooting are asked to contact the Plymouth Police Department at (252) 793-4680.

Similarly, anyone with information about the fatal shooting of the 16-year-old is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 793-2422.

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