Rashad O’Neil, 25, was shot early on September 20, 2021, near Pollock Street and W. Washington Avenue in Kinston, North Carolina. Police received a call about 5:10 a.m.; officers found O’Neil and 59-year-old Micro Croom with gunshot wounds. Croom was pronounced dead at the scene and O’Neil was taken to Vidant Medical Center. Witnesses or investigators say two people in a white SUV drove past O’Neil and fired at him before fleeing.

On September 21, 2021, warrants were obtained for Derrick McCarter, 25, and a 17-year-old juvenile of Kinston for attempted murder; McCarter was arrested and found with a stolen firearm and jailed with bond set at $1,050,000, while the juvenile was placed in a juvenile detention center. Separately, Donte Reynolds, 27, was charged with Micro Croom’s murder and the shooting of Rashad O’Neil and was taken into custody on September 24, 2021. The Kinston Police Department continues to investigate and asks anyone with information to come forward.