WRAL News has learned that two more people have been charged in connection with a shooting outside a Wilson courthouse that left three people hurt.
According to court documents, Terrie Covington and Ja'lexis Applewhite were both charged with felony accessory before the fact in connection with the shooting.
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Mother of murder victim at center of case condemns retaliatory shooting
Security was increased outside of the Wilson County Courthouse Tuesday, 24 hours after a woman was critically injured in a shooting that law enforcement says was motivated by revenge for the death of a friend.
“I’m glad they did increase security because yesterday was the scariest day of my life,” Kimberly Simmons said. “It really scared me to death.”
Simmons was inside the courthouse to follow the court proceedings in her son’s murder. LaDarrius Simmons, 16, was killed late last month. Jamel Hines, now 18 years old, is charged with his murder and was due in court yesterday, according to Simmons.
“We were just waiting on [Hines] to come out so we can see what was going on with the case,” Simmons said. “Before they could even bring him out, my sister was like, you heard gunshots? I said, ‘Oh my God.’”
Investigation: Shooter waited over an hour for victim
Outside, law enforcement says Abdul Mustafa, 21, was waiting on a nearby bench for LaToya Lucas, 19, to arrive. Police believe Mustafa, Applewhite, and Covington went inside the district court to see if Lucas was there and exchanged clothes in the bathroom. When they learned she was not inside, Mustafa came out of the courthouse and stayed on the bench with a backpack that he previously hid in a nearby alley. Mustafa waited for Lucas for longer than an hour, according to deputies.
Investigators believe the three could be involved in a hybrid gang. All three have been denied bond.
Lucas faces her own charges in connection to Simmons’ death of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact.
As Lucas walked up the steps of the courthouse Monday morning, law enforcement says Mustafa shot her multiple times.
Mustafa is believed to be friends with LaDarrius Simmons, according to photos he’s posted on his Facebook page. He’s also posted several messages on Facebook including memorials for LaDarrius, saying the 16-year-old “inspired me to be the best big homie a man could ever be.” He also posted expletives in reference to Simmons' alleged killer, Hines.
Law enforcement believes Monday’s shooting of Lucas was in retaliation for Simmons' death.
Kimberly Simmons says the first time she had seen Mustafa was at a memorial balloon release for her son. She says the two must be friends because he is not a relative of theirs.
When she learned that Monday's shooting involved someone believed to be connected to her son’s death, she was upset.
“I just want justice done the legal way for my son,” Simmons said. “I don’t want no violence going on, on either side of the family, their side or my side. I just want justice to be served for my son the legal way. Let the courthouse and the police do their job. All of this other stuff is uncalled for. I just wanted to bury my baby and let the courts do what they got to do. That’s it.”
Mustafa made his first court appearance Tuesday and was given no bond.
This is the second shooting outside of a North Carolina Courthouse since late May, when a woman allegedly opened fire on two attorneys.
It’s an issue Wilson County District Attorney Jeff Marsigli says very rare.
“I hope it never happens again, but I don’t have any fears walking in myself as the District Attorney to any of our courthouses around my whole, three-county district,” he said.
Tuesday, there was a notable difference on the steps of the Wilson County Courthouse. There were at least eight uniformed officers on the steps this morning, including at least two in tactical gear with long guns and a K-9 officer as well.
“We have armed law enforcement all over the building,” Marsigli said. “The Sheriff’s department is connected right behind the courthouse and the police department’s right across the street on the other side. It’s about as safe a place as you can come. Nobody can predict everything that’s going to happen in the future but it’s about as safe a place that you can come.”
WRAL has reached out to the Wilson County Sheriff's Office about what's being done for safety after Monday's shooting. Including the following questions:
- What steps are in place to ensure safety not just inside the courthouse but around it as well?
- How is that plan being evaluated after Monday's incident?
- How long will the increased security measures be implemented?
- What message do you have for the victims of violence about how you will protect them?
We will post their answers as soon as we get a response.
It’s going to be hard for Simmons to believe this building is safe considering how Monday’s events made her feel. She has concerns about where this alleged back and forth retaliation will end and if it could leave her or her other family members as the next victims.
“That needs to stop,” Simmons said. “This is too much violence. Even though my son is gone, I don’t hate nobody on this side for what happened to my son. I just hate that my son is not here with us anymore. I just want justice to be served but let the courthouse do it. Let the judge and the police and everybody, let them do it the legal way.”
And despite not knowing her son’s friend, she says she, of all people, can understand his pain. LaDarrius is her baby boy and she says, if any of her son’s friends are angry or upset or looking for retribution for his death, she wants to share this message with them.
“Leave it alone,” Simmons said. “Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth their life if they go out here and hurt somebody. Then somebody else’s life is gone or they’re in jail. I don’t want to see nothing like that happen to nobody else’s kids because that hurt me. I only have three kids and it feel like a link to one of my chains is broken because my baby boy is gone.”