Ryo Steele, La’ren Dickens Obituary, Death – Police in Rocky Mount are investigating three separate shootings that took place over the weekend, including two aggravated assaults and a double homicide. Authorities have stated that the incidents are not believed to be connected.
Double Homicide
In the early hours of Sunday morning, officers responded to a shooting reported just before 3 a.m. in the 800 block of Virginia Street. When they arrived, they found two young adults with gunshot wounds. The victims, identified as 19-year-old Ryo Steele and 20-year-old La’ren Dickens, were pronounced dead at the scene. Police are continuing to investigate this deadly incident, but no suspects or motives have been announced.
Aggravated Assaults
The first of the weekend’s violent incidents occurred Saturday evening around 8:50 p.m. Police were called to the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings in the 200 block of Ring Road after receiving reports of gunfire. Shortly afterward, officers located a man with a graze wound on South Franklin Street. He was treated at the scene by emergency medical services but declined to be taken to the hospital. The victim also refused to cooperate with the police, and the case remains under investigation.
The second aggravated assault happened early Sunday, just minutes after the Virginia Street double homicide. Around 3 a.m., officers responded to another shooting in the 1300 block of West Raleigh Boulevard. There, they found a victim who had been shot and was transported to the hospital for treatment. No additional details about the victim’s condition or the circumstances of the shooting have been made available. This incident is also still under investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information about any of the three shootings to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Rocky Mount Police Department or through Twin County Crime Stoppers by calling 252-977-1111. Callers can remain anonymous.
The series of shootings over one weekend has raised concerns in the community, but authorities continue to urge calm as they work to gather more information and identify those responsible. Investigators are following up on leads, reviewing any surveillance footage, and encouraging community members to help provide any information that could assist in solving these cases.
As the investigations progress, police are expected to release further updates. For now, the community mourns the lives lost and hopes for swift justice for the victims and their families.