WPD looks for suspect after woman shot and killed yesterday afternoon
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police have identified the woman who was shot yesterday afternoon on S. 17th Street. They are also looking for the man they think killed her.
Police say Shantell Denise Williams, 42, of Wilmington, was shot at 3:58 p.m. in the 99 block of S. 17th St.
Witnesses called 911 reporting gunshots in the area of S. 17th St. and Wrightsville Ave. When EMS arrived on scene, they found Williams on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. They took her to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where she died from the injuries.
Witnesses said Williams was chased around the block by her ex-boyfriend, 37-year-old Joseph Cornell Corbett III.
“He looked like a devil,” Pastor Wanda Richmond said. “His eyes were red. I mean bloodshot red.”
Richmond said she was at a store nearby when she heard gun shots. Richmond ran outside and said she saw Williams limping down the street.
That’s when Richmond said she tried her best to bring Williams to safety, her church, just a few feet away, but it was too late.
“I cried later,” Richmond said. “I said God I couldn’t get her in the church. I couldn’t get her to come in.”
Richmond said she felt God had her there for a reason.
“I asked her was she saved,” Richmond said. “She said no. I said baby, repeat after me. She said I’m going to die. I said baby you gone live again.”
Richmond said although it was a terrifying experience she’ll never forget, she said she is comforted knowing Williams wasn’t alone in the end.
“But glory be to your name Jesus,” Richmond said. “I got her better than a church. I got her with God. She’s in heaven. Glory be to your name Jesus she accepted.”
Detectives are asking for help finding Joseph Cornell Corbett III, 37, in relation to this murder. Corbett is described as a black male, about 5’9″ and 150 pounds with a shaved head. He has a dragon tattoo on his left inner forearm and a cross tattoo on his right inner forearm. Police say citizens should consider Corbett to be armed and dangerous and should not approach him.
Witnesses who spoke with WWAY said the couple had a rocky past.
The StarNews reports Williams was arrested two weeks ago for assaulting Corbett with a knife.
In 2015, Corbett was named as the victim of a shooting on North 10th Street. Two men were later arrested for attempted murder.
Police ask anyone with information to call the Wilmington Police Department at 343-3609 or Text-A-Tip by texting “CRIMES” and starting the text with “Tip708.” All texts to Text-A-Tip are anonymous.
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