A funeral for a 2-year-old child in Burlington spiraled into chaos Saturday afternoon when a fight outside the service turned into gunfire, and a police chase ended with a car slamming into a house. Two people were arrested, officers recovered a rifle, and police say no one was hurt.
Chaos at the funeral home
The Burlington Police Department says officers were called shortly after 2 p.m. to Rich and Thompson Funeral Home after a 911 caller reported a fight following the service for the toddler. Investigators say 24-year-old Trevonte Jaquan McGhee stepped outside and fired several rounds from a rifle, according to WRAL.
Chase ended in crash
Witnesses told dispatchers the shooter jumped into a car and took off. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but police say the driver, 24-year-old Cazari Monique Russell, sped away instead. During the pursuit, McGhee allegedly tossed the rifle from the car, and the chase ended when Russell lost control and crashed into a house. Russell was detained at the scene, and McGhee was arrested after briefly running from the wreck, as reported by ABC11.
Charges and custody
According to police, McGhee faces several charges that include possession of a firearm by a felon, going armed to the terror of the people, discharging a firearm within city limits, disorderly conduct at a funeral home, and leaving the scene of a crash as a passenger. Russell is charged with going armed to the terror of the people, misdemeanor conspiracy, reckless driving, and failure to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light. Both were taken to the Alamance County Jail, per WRAL.
What the charges mean
“Going armed to the terror of the people” is a common-law offense that North Carolina courts have applied when someone arms themselves and behaves in a way that terrorizes the public, as discussed by the state Supreme Court in State v. Dawson. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is prohibited under state law at N.C.G.S. 14-415.1 and can be prosecuted as a felony, which requires proof of a prior felony conviction and that the defendant possessed the weapon. Both defendants are presumed innocent, and police say the investigation is still ongoing.
Police ask for tips
Officers say they recovered the rifle and believe there is no ongoing threat to the community, but investigators are still asking anyone with additional information to come forward. Burlington Police Department’s tip line is 336-229-3500, and Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers can be reached at 336-229-7100. Additional details were reported by WTSP.
