Wilmington man pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and fire arm possession by a felon this morning.

Reginald Laughlin was charged with first degree murder in April 2014 for the murder of Drayshawn Dowd, 20. He pleaded down to the lesser charge in a New Hanover County courtroom.

According to police, Dowd was shot after an altercation at a party on December 7, 2014 on the 4400 block of McLelland Drive.

Dowd’s mother addressed Laughlin in court Thursday.

“You took my only son away,” she said.

Laughlin will serve a minimum two and half to five years in prison.