A Thursday morning shooting on Cokey Road has turned deadly, leaving a 54-year-old Rocky Mount man dead and a 61-year-old suspect sitting in the Edgecombe County Detention Center with no bond.
Police say Courtney Crocker was shot in the 700 block of Cokey Road shortly after 9 a.m. Responding officers found him with a gunshot wound, and he was rushed to a medical facility for treatment. He later died from his injuries, and Rocky Mount police identified him as the victim.
According to ABC11, officers arrested Herman Dickens, 61, in connection with the shooting. Investigators say the case is still very much active and have not publicly discussed a possible motive.
Recent Shootings Have Strained Local Resources
This latest killing lands in a city already struggling with a string of high-profile shootings that have stretched both patience and resources.
In March, a double-fatal shooting on East Raleigh Boulevard left two people dead, a case covered by WRAL. The following month, an officer-involved shooting that resulted in a death triggered a review by the State Bureau of Investigation, as reported by Spectrum News. Those cases have fueled renewed calls from residents for stronger responses to gun violence.
Charges And Custody
Per ABC11, Dickens was initially charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. He was denied bond and is being held at the Edgecombe County Detention Center while investigators continue to work the case.
With Crocker’s death now confirmed, prosecutors are expected to consult with the district attorney’s office about filing additional charges.
How To Report Tips
Police have not released details about any weapon that may have been recovered, and they have not publicly identified a motive. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
According to a Rocky Mount city brochure, the Rocky Mount Police Department’s non-emergency tip line is 972-1411. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 977-1111 for anonymous tips. After-hours callers are also instructed to use 972-1411.
Investigators say they are still processing evidence and interviewing witnesses, and the Rocky Mount Police Department reports that the case remains active.
