The Wake Forest community is mourning the loss of a former high school principal and wife of a beloved football coach following a tragic shooting incident. Ericka Ruffin Lucas, 56, succumbed to injuries on Tuesday after being shot on August 29 near her home on East Nelson Avenue, as confirmed by the Wake Forest Police Department according to WRAL. She was the former principal of Rolesville High School and the wife of Reggie Lucas, the head football coach at Wake Forest High School.
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Dexter Lamont Mills, aged 18, and a 16-year-old whose name has not been disclosed due to their age, were charged with murder, the police department disclosed, according to CBS17. It's reported that Lucas was not the intended target, and the preliminary investigation suggests she was caught in crossfire intended for someone else. Mills is scheduled for a court appearance and is currently held without bond.
Fellow community members and former students remember Lucas fondly. One former student, Sierra Smith, recalled how Lucas made her feel welcomed and safe in Wake Forest, "It was really hard being in Wake Forest as a little Black girl and she made me feel comfortable, like I was ok, like I was safe," Smith said. "She was really good at making someone feel like they were important," according to an interview obtained by WRAL.
The local community demonstrated their support for the Lucas family by attending a Wake Forest High School football game dressed in blue, a gesture symbolizing unity and remembrance. As reported by ABC11, the Lucas family has been a significant part of the area's educational and athletic communities, with Ericka's tenure as principal and, Reggie's role leading the high school football team. The investigation into the tragic shooting that took Ericka Lucas's life remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
