Whiteville Police: Late night fatal shooting was in retaliation to another

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Officials are investigating after one man is killed, another injured from a shooting in Whiteville. Police say the shooting was in retaliation to another that happened last month.

According to a press release from Whiteville Police, officers received a call for a gunshot victim just before 11:30 p.m. Monday night.

Elliot Ward Dew
(Photo: Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office)

When officers arrived to Happy Mart Convenience Store at JK Blvd. and Virgil St., they found two men Elliot Ward Dew and Deron Dewitt Blanks in a vehicle in front of the store with gunshot wounds to their upper torso. According to witnesses, several shots rang out and the driver fell out of the driver’s side door.

Both men were taken to Columbus Regional Hospital where Ward died. The other is currently in stable condition.

Whiteville Police found multiple shell casings and several bullet holes in the victim’s driver side. The SBI has been contacted to assist with the investigation.

There is information to indicate that contraband and money was inside the victim’s vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Officials say there are is also information to indicate this shooting is in retaliation to another that happened at Saw Mill Apartments on November 26, on Hay Street in Whiteville.

Taquay Montez Newkirk
(Photo: Bladen County Sheriff’s Office)

The Whiteville Police Department has obtained felony warrants in reference to the Saw Mill shooting for Corey Tashombae Hines, 20, of Charlotte and Taquay Montez Newkirk, 26, of Whiteville. Both these subjects are currently absconders from North Carolina Probation and Parole.

If you know any information, call Whiteville Police.