Later Thursday evening Weldon launched an unrelated murder investigation on Ransome Circle in the Scoco Park community.

Weldon Police Chief Mark Macon said around noon Thursday Jessie “Pug” Arrington, allegedly fired shots at Kunta Kinte Shearin outside the 209 Ransome Circle residence, commonly called the Community House.

Arrington then reportedly beat Shearin with a gun, although he was not seriously injured.

Macon said the shooting attempt and pistol-whipping was apparently over a property dispute, although he declined to elaborate.

The police department filed warrants for the arrest of Arrington on a count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Arrington, who lives in the Maria Avenue area, is believed to frequent both Roanoke Rapids and areas traditionally called South Weldon.

Already this year there has been a call to a drive-by shooting and cocaine charges lodged at the house.

Complaints on the house go back as far as 2010.

Macon said nuisance abatement proceedings on the house have hit a snag. “We did initiate the nuisance abatement process but couldn't get the necessary signatures from the immediate community to say it was a nuisance. It would have been a positive move for the community to get that action.”

Meanwhile, the police department seeks the public's assistance in locating Arrington, a black male who stands between 5 feet 6 inches tall to 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He has a medium build and wears his hair short.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-536-3135 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.