The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following, according to Chief Lawrence Wiggins: 

Shots fired call

An 18-year-old was charged today with possessing a stolen firearm following a call of shots fired in the area of Jefferson and East Eighth streets behind Roanoke Rapids High School. 

Wiggins said at this point the involvement of Desmond Williams, of Roanoke Rapids, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. 

The call forced a lockdown of the high school, ACES, the central office, and the early college, the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District said. 

Shortly before 9:30 this morning the police department responded to a call of shots fired in the area. 

Multiple reports were received of people described as two Black males running from the area. They were wearing black hoodies with white writing on the back. 

An employee of the RRPD was in the area and observed the individuals leaving the scene. 

A search of the area by officers of the RRPD and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office yielded negative results. 

Shortly thereafter, law enforcement received information that individuals matching the description of those sought were sitting in front of a house in a vehicle. 

After a brief investigation, Williams was charged. He received a $5,000 secured bond and will have a district court appearance later this month. 

“I would like to thank all the men and women of the RRPD and the HCSO for their response to the scene and their hard work,” Wiggins said. 

Amanda Clark, spokesperson for the school system, said, “Earlier today, out of an abundance of caution, Roanoke Rapids High School, Roanoke Rapids Early College, the central office, and ACES went on a lockdown due to reports of police activity in the area.” 

The district’s buildings were on lockdown for approximately 40 minutes. 

The lockdown was lifted once officials confirmed the area was secure. “We appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff, and law enforcement partners in keeping our school community safe,” she said.

Saturated patrol 

On Friday, the RRPD conducted a saturated patrol within the city. 

The effort had the following results: 113 charges; seven arrests; two DWIs; five guns seized; five drug violations; one vehicle seized; $1,920 seized; three warrants served. 

“I would like to personally thank all the agencies and their respective leaders for assisting us,” Wiggins said. “This is not the last time you will see this type of effort by the RRPD as we look to reassert ourselves as a no-nonsense police department committed to protecting our citizens.” Assisting in the patrol were the following: NC Department of Probation & Parole, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Williamston Police Department, Hertford County Sheriff's Office, Nash County Sheriff's Office, Halifax County Sheriff's Office, Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, Jackson Police Department, Garysburg Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, Weldon Police Department, Gaston Police Department, ECU Health Police Department, and the Halifax County Drug Task Force.