Officials warn Market St. businesses after deadly shooting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — District Attorney Ben David said there will be no charges filed in the case of the Carolinian Inn homicide, but that’s not all he announced.

Damiera James Tiesman was found shot several times in a room in the motel on Market Street over a week ago. David said at the news conference at the New Hanover County courthouse that the shooting was justified and was an act of self defense. Alfonzo Leroy Jenkins, Jr. was identified as the shooter. David said Jenkins left the scene but later turned himself in. David added that Tiesman was not robbed and has an extensive criminal history in other areas.

After discussing the shooting, David put hotels and motels on Market Street on notice, telling them to “clean it up.” He said his office, along with the Wilmington Police Department, were cracking down on crime.

“We’re fully prepared to use nuisance abatement and seize the property from these owners,” Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said. “We’ve done it in the Rhino club and we’ll do it again up on Market Street, so they better clean up their act or they are going to be out of business permanently.”

Evangelous added they will be sending out letters to business owners on Market Street that have a history of crime to give them the warning.