ELIZABETH CITY – A Pasquotank County jury found David Mitchell guilty on May 15, 2026, of First Degree Murder, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon in connection with the October 26, 2021 shooting death of 26-year-old Ka’Shon Saunders.

Saunders was shot at approximately 2:00 p.m. at the Woodstock Apartment Complex in Elizabeth City, dying from a single gunshot wound to the head. Mitchell and co-defendant Kwaron Hunter were attempting to rob Saunders at the time of the shooting.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge L. Lamont Wiggins of Edgecombe County presided over the trial and sentenced Mitchell to life without parole for the murder charge, 84–113 months for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, and 33–55 months for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, with all three sentences to run consecutively. Co-defendant Kwaron Hunter pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder on May 11, 2026, and was sentenced to 195–246 months.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant District Attorneys Kimberly Pellini and Lainy Malarney, along with Legal Assistant Tiffany Manning.

District Attorney Jeff Cruden credited the Elizabeth City Police Department for their investigative work, which he said provided the evidence necessary to secure convictions. Cruden noted that while the verdicts were favorable, the case served as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can accompany involvement in drug activity — not only the well-known risks of addiction and health consequences, but the potential for deadly violence.

Edenton Police

• At 10:50 a.m. May 11, 2026, Edenton Police responded to a report of misdemeanor larceny at a residence on Church Street. According to the report, an electric golf cart charger (with an estimated value of $500) was taken. I’ll say it — what kind of idiot steals a golf cart charger!?
• Quamari Armez Williams, 25, of Lynnhaven Drive, Edenton, was arrested at 10:39 a.m. May 12, 2026, on a Currituck County warrant for a misdemeanor charge of driving while license revoked. A $50,000 secured bond was set. Williams was held at the Chowan County Detention Center.
• At 7:28 a.m. May 9, 2026, Edenton Police responded to a report of misdemeanor larceny at a residence on Vance Lane. According to the report, $100 worth of jewelry/precious metals/gems. The case is active.
• At 1:13 p.m. May 7, 2026, Edenton Police responded to a report of breaking and entering at a home in the 700 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. According to the report, the suspect kicked in the back door of a residence in Wedgewood Apartments, damaging the door frame.
• At 3:18 p.m. May 4, 2026, Edenton Police responded to a report of breaking and entering and larceny on East Gale Street. According to the report, the victim’s vehicle, a 1986 Chevrolet Truck, was broken into. A leaf blower (worth $200) and hedge trimmers (worth $373.32) were stolen. Thief must really need some tools to get some yardwork done…

Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office

• George Pope, of West Grubb Street, Hertford, was arrested on May 8, 2026, on a criminal summons for a charge of communicating threats and disorderly conduct. A $2,000 secured bond was set for the disorderly conduct charge.
• Brenda Pope, of West Drubb Street, Hertford, was arrested on May 8, 2026, on a charge of resisting, obstructing or delaying a law enforcement officer. A $1,000 secured bond was set.
• Ty’yonna Sanderlin, of Tyler Lane, Edenton, was arrested on May 8, 2026, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Sanderlin was released to her parents.
• Tiara Mullen, Wynne Fork Court, Hertford, was arrested on May 9, 2026, on charges of breaking and entering and injury to personal property. A $15,000 secured bond was set.
• Bervis Morales, of King Street, Hertford, was arrested on charges of assault on a female and crime of domestic violence. No bond was set and Morales was placed on a 48-hour hold.
• David Owens, of Dobb Street, Hertford, was arrested on May 12, 2026, on a misdemeanor charge of larceny. A $1,000 secured bond was set.
• Bonnie Myers, homeless in Hertford, was arrested on May 12, 2026, on charges of assault on a government official and resisting, obstructing or delaying a law enforcement officer. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
• Khalil Mabine, of Wynne Fork Court, Hertford, was arrested on May 13, 2026, on charges of assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Mabine was placed on a 48-hour hold.
• Mason White, of Whitehat Road, Hertford, was arrested on May 13, 2026, on charges of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and assault inflicting serious injury. A $2,000 secured bond was set.
• Amanda Wiggins, of Pender Road, Hertford, was arrested on May 13, 2026, on charges of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and simple assault. Wiggins was placed on a 48-hour hold.

Hyde County

Gibbs Convenience store was broken into around this past weekend. Someone kicked in the front door and shattered the store’s beer cooler just to take a few bottles of alcohol, leaving behind a lot of damage and a big mess.

“Small businesses work hard every day for our community, so situations like this are truly disheartening. We are very thankful for our high-quality security cameras, which captured clear footage of the incident,” the store posted to social media. “If you have any information that could help, please send us a private message. We appreciate our community’s support more than you know.”

And I’ll say it — what a dick move to break a window to steal a couple of beers at this small hometown business in Engelhard that everyone has shopped at in Hyde County.

Washington County

A Plymouth man was convicted recently in Washington County District Court after being accused of threatening a Town of Plymouth code enforcement officer during a dispute involving signs posted on private property.

According to court records, 67-year-old Johnny Armstrong was found guilty Tuesday, May 5, of one count of communicating threats, a Class 1 misdemeanor under North Carolina law. 

The charge stemmed from an incident on April 28 involving Dennis Lee Brown, who is identified in the criminal summons as the complainant. Brown serves as a code enforcement officer for the Town of Plymouth. 

According to the charging documents, Armstrong allegedly went to the town office after Brown instructed him to remove signs that referenced Brown. Prosecutors alleged Armstrong threatened Brown by telling him “he was going to see him after hours and he was going to get him,” and also allegedly threatened Brown’s job. The criminal summons states authorities believed the threat was made under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe it could be carried out, and that Brown believed the threat was credible. 

Court records show Armstrong pleaded not guilty, but following a district court trial before Judge Jonathan Jones, he was found guilty. 

Judge Jones sentenced Armstrong to 45 days in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence was suspended, and Armstrong was instead placed on 12 months of unsupervised probation. Court costs and a $50 fine were also assessed, bringing his total financial obligation to $233. 

As part of the probation order, Armstrong was directed not to threaten, harass, or communicate threats toward Brown or any Town of Plymouth employees. The court also ordered Armstrong to remove any signs referencing Brown within 24 hours and prohibited him from displaying additional signs referencing Brown during the probation period. 

Court records indicate Armstrong gave notice of appeal in open court following the judgment.