Shooting claims life of Wilmington man

One man is dead after a shooting in Downtown Wilmington this afternoon just blocks away from New Hanover High School and Wilmington Police are on a man-hunt.

The shooting happened just before four o’clock this afternoon as students were still leaving school. Detectives are questioning witnesses and still looking to identify the gunman.

“I just heard two small pops, kinda like fireworks and I just decided to step outside,” Neighborhood resident William Mules said, “I saw two girls in front of my house, and all I heard was: Is he dead?”

Wilmington Police have confirmed one man is dead after being shot at 12th and Chestnut Streets, right near New Hanover High School. The incident prompted the school to go on lock-down for just over a half hour. Neighborhood residents say that area has been the site of violent crimes before.

“This is one of several murders that has happened within three hundred feet of my own home and we’ve been complaining about this particular corner for years,” Resident Ronald Sparks said.

Ronalds Sparks is now running for city council, fed up with crime just like this happening in his own back yard.

“We need to do something about it. I’m just disgusted and sick of this,” Sparks said.

Investigators haven’t determined the motive behind the shooting. They did say multiple shots were fired. Some residents say they wouldn’t be surprised if the incident was gang related.

“I think most likely the gang activity in this area is becoming a little bit alarming considering for the size of this town,” William Mules said.

Detectives with the Wilmington Police Department say the victim is 23-year-old Wilmington man named Eugene Williams…

Anyone with any information about this case should call the Wilmington Police Department at 343-3600.