ONLY ON 3: Church owns home where Creekwood shooting suspect was arrested

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than two weeks after clergy called for a cease fire, a Wilmington church has a connection to the latest act of gun violence.

Tuesday night Wilmington Police responded to a drive-by shooting in the 800 block of North 30th St. in the Creekwood community. The suspects sped off, and after a hit-and-run at 30th and Market streets, a tip led police to the other side of town and a Monkey Junction neighborhood.

After a brief stand-off, police arrested Joseph McCrimmons, 19, for possession of a firearm by a felon at the home at 5615 Wood Ridge Road.

Neighbors, who were too afraid for their safety to go on camera, say they think the tenants may be drug dealers. A concerned citizen commented on our website, which reads in part: “We have constantly been concerned about the suspicious activity and constant traffic flow in and out of this house, but no one will do anything! I guess it takes a police standoff with assault rifles drawn for someone to pay attention. Such a shame. Get out of our neighborhood and take the trouble with you! We don’t want this mess around our young children and families.”

Pastor Joseph Peterson of 5th Avenue United Methodist Church said the church started renting the house a couple years ago as Section 8 housing. Peterson said it originally rented the house to a mother and a daughter, but he admitted there seems to be more people living in the home now.

We went to the home to find out, but no one answered.

Neighbors say they have complained to the church about late-night traffic at the house and other concerns multiple times to no avail. Peterson says the church has nothing to do with the tenants. It just owns the house. He says Wilmington’s Best Rentals handles the rental. The company declined to comment.

Pastor Peterson said a neighbor came to the church today to complain about what’s going on at the house at 5615 Wood Ridge Rd. Peterson said he’s concerned about neighbor’s safety, but the church has nothing to do with the renters.