WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Forsyth County jury on Thursday convicted William Aikens Jr. of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of Brandon Patterson on North Cameron Avenue.

Jurors deliberated for about an hour before finding Aikens guilty of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Resident Superior Court Judge Aaron Berlin sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Police said Aikens fatally shot Patterson on Oct. 18, 2023, after circling the area in a red Dodge Charger and stopping to fire 10 rounds, striking Patterson five times. Patterson was unarmed.

Surveillance footage showed the Charger leaving the scene. Later, officers found the car at a home on Ferrell Court with a spent shell casing on the windshield wiper. Inside the glove box, investigators recovered Aikens’ Social Security card and ID.

A forensic analysis by the State Crime Lab determined the casing found on the car matched casings recovered at the crime scene.

During sentencing, Patterson’s parents told the court their son was a devoted father of two and was deeply loved by his family. They thanked the district attorney’s office and the Winston-Salem Police Department for their work in the case.

The trial was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Mark Parent and Ali Patterson. Aikens was represented by attorney Jerry Jordan.

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Authorities in Winston-Salem are investigating after two people were shot Monday night on Peters Creek Parkway.

Officers responded to the 2600 block of Peters Creek Parkway around 9:45 p.m., where they located two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. According to investigators, both victims were transported for medical treatment and are expected to recover, as their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Police believe the incident was not random and that the victims were specifically targeted. At this time, no arrests have been made.

Officials are asking anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

Greensboro, N.C. – A Winston-Salem man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a woman found at a Greensboro hotel earlier this month, police announced Sunday.

According to the Greensboro Police Department, Claude Arthur Chavis Jr., 52, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Demetria Perry, 53. He is currently being held without bond at the Guilford County jail.

Officers discovered Perry deceased on Sept. 19 while responding to a medical call at the Budget Inn on Farragut Street. Authorities have not yet released her cause of death.

Court records show Chavis was already wanted on charges of common law robbery and violating conditions of release at the time of his arrest.

Investigators confirmed they are not seeking additional suspects in connection with the case.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – Authorities are investigating a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound on Saturday night.

Police said the teenager was walking near the intersection of Gray Avenue and East 10th Street when someone inside a passing vehicle opened fire. The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where doctors treated him for a wound to his foot. His injury is considered non-life-threatening, according to officials.

Detectives are continuing to search for the suspect and vehicle involved in the shooting.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is asking anyone with information to call 336-773-7700. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 (English) or 336-728-3904 (Spanish). Tips can also be sent by text, photo, or video to 336-276-1717.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Authorities announced Friday that a 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the September 11 shooting death of a woman in Winston-Salem.

Police said Jaheim Bennett, 22, was taken into custody on Wednesday and faces several charges, including felony murder, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of stolen property. In addition, Bennett was served with an outstanding fugitive warrant from New York tied to three separate charges.

According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Bennett is currently being held at the Forsyth County Jail without bond.

The victim, identified as 27-year-old Destiny Kamara Tucker, was fatally shot on the evening of September 11. Officers responded at approximately 10:16 p.m. to the 3900 block of Cullen Street in the northeastern part of the city. When police arrived at 3911 Cullen St., they found Tucker suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later confirmed that Bennett and Tucker were acquainted prior to the shooting. Detectives said the investigation remains active.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police are investigating after a woman was found beaten to death inside a vehicle in Winston-Salem on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Winston-Salem Police Department, officers were called to the 1600 block of East 24th Street around 1:19 p.m. on September 14, where they discovered the body of 51-year-old Rhonda Larochelle Oglesby inside a car. Emergency Medical Services pronounced her dead at the scene.

Investigators said Oglesby showed clear signs of physical violence. They believe she was assaulted at her home on 730 Motor Road before being moved to the East 24th Street location.

At this stage, authorities say the case appears to be isolated and does not pose a wider threat to the public. No suspects or motives have been publicly identified, and police are continuing to gather evidence.

Residents in the area were left shaken by the discovery, describing the neighborhood as usually quiet. The investigation remains active, and officials say additional updates will be released as new information becomes available.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800.

Winston-Salem police say an officer discharged his weapon during a pursuit Wednesday evening after a suspect displayed a firearm. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

The incident occurred around 7:52 p.m. in the 2100 block of East 25th Street, according to police. Officers had been conducting a drug-related investigation in the area when they approached a group of individuals. The group scattered, prompting several officers to give chase.

During the pursuit, one suspect pulled out a gun. Authorities said the officer then fired his service weapon but did not strike the suspect. Despite the confrontation, officers were able to apprehend the individual safely.

Officials have not released the names of either the officer involved or the suspect. Investigators with the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Detective Division and Professional Standards Division are reviewing the incident in line with department protocols for officer-involved shootings.

Police emphasized that no officers, community members, or suspects were injured during the encounter.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – A 17-year-old male is in the hospital after being shot by a rideshare driver during a confrontation on Sunday, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD).

Officers were called to the 4900 block of Doris Street following reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, police said in a news release.

The WSPD Violent Firearms Investigation Team (VFIT) took over the case. Investigators say early findings suggest the shooting was sparked by a dispute after a rideshare trip was canceled.

According to police, the juvenile became agitated and allegedly approached the driver in a threatening manner while armed. In response, the driver fired a weapon, striking the teen.

After consulting with the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, authorities determined the shooting was an act of self-defense, and no charges will be filed against the driver at this time.

Police emphasized that the investigation remains active.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is searching for Mikaela Costigliola (DOB: 01/06/2010), missing from the Salem Lake Park area. She is believed to have left on foot.

Mikaela has brown eyes and black hair. She is approximately 5'05 "to 5'08" and weighs between 130 and 140 pounds.

If you have any information about Mikaela's whereabouts, please contact the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office immediately at 336-727-2112.

Winston-Salem authorities are investigating a weekend shooting that left one woman injured, according to a news release from the Winston-Salem Police Department.

The incident occurred Saturday morning in the 4100 block of Villa Club Drive after officers received reports of gunfire in the area. When police arrived, they were notified that a woman had already checked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her leg.

Officials confirmed that the injury is not life-threatening. At this time, investigators have not released the name of the victim, and no suspects have been identified. The case remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be reported by calling the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700. Anonymous information may also be shared through Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 (English) or 336-728-3904 (Spanish). Additionally, the Text-A-Tip Program allows community members to send tips, photos, or videos directly to investigators by texting 336-276-1717.

A 27-year-old Greensboro man is facing an additional criminal charge after authorities say he tried to escape while in custody at the Guilford County Detention Center.

According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on August 14 after Kurtis Asante was taken into custody by Greensboro police for misdemeanor second-degree trespassing around 4 p.m.

Attempted Escape Inside the Facility

After being transported to the detention center, Asante was placed in a holding cell in the law enforcement area while awaiting booking procedures, including fingerprinting and medical intake screening.

By 8 p.m., he had been moved from the holding cell to a designated seating area for newly arrested individuals. About an hour later, Asante got up and walked roughly 75 feet through the processing area before entering the pat search room through an unsecured door.

Once inside, authorities say he pressed the intercom button located at the secured door that leads back to the law enforcement area where he was previously held. Officials believe this was an attempt to gain access to a restricted section of the detention facility.

Swift Response from Detention Officers

The intercom immediately alerted staff at the booking desk that Asante was in an unauthorized area. Detention officers, including a supervising lieutenant, responded quickly and escorted him back to his assigned seat.

Officials clarified that Asante never reached an unsecured part of the building, never left the secured perimeter, and did not exit the detention center. He was later placed in a housing unit after being processed.

New Charge Added

Following the incident, Asante was charged with misdemeanor escape from a county or city confinement facility. He was later released on a $500 unsecured bond.

The sheriff’s office reported that a review is underway to determine whether further prosecution of the escape charge is necessary, given that Asante never left the secure portions of the facility.