Home Crime Rockingham Police charge man in shooting that injured teen girl; two suspects...

Rockingham Police charge man in shooting that injured teen girl; two suspects on the run

Police investigate a shooting near the intersection of Rockingham Road and John F. Kennedy Drive on March 1. Photo by Kenny Melvin - Richmond Observer

ROCKINGHAM — One man is in custody after a teenage girl was shot late Wednesday night.

According to the Rockingham Police Department, an officer was standing in the station parking lot when they heard multiple gunshots around 9:30 p.m.

While responding to the area, the officer reportedly saw a vehicle leaving John F. Kennedy Drive “at a high rate of speed.

Investigators say the officer turned on his blue lights and siren but the driver of the vehicle initially refused to stop. During the pursuit, two males allegedly jumped out and ran toward Hood Street.

The vehicle reportedly continued on to Cabel Drive, where officers found the driver, 19-year-old Elijah Nercos Brown, of Rockingham.

Back at the scene, other officers reportedly found a 17-year-old girl with multiple gunshot wounds. However, police say her injuries are not life-threatening.
Investigators say several cars and two apartments were also damaged by gunshots.

(Note: The press release from the police department originally indicated the girl was 15. Police made the correction and informed the RO. 10:37 a.m. 3-2-23)

Brown was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $500,000 secured bond. Other charges may be pending.

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Police encourage anyone with information on the case, specifically the identities of the two suspects who fled, to contact them via Facebook Messenger, by calling Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454, or by using the P3 Tips app.

Jail records show Brown was also served with a warrant for failure to appear on a misdemeanor. That charge carries an additional $500 secured bond.

Records show Brown is scheduled to appear in court Thursday on charges of discharging a weapon into an occupied property and discharging a weapon in the city limits from 2022.

Brown has no prior convictions as an adult in the state, records show.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.