Princeton Police have identified a man shot and killed in the middle of the street Monday afternoon. In the meanwhile, the search continues for the gunman.
Police responded to a report of shots being fired in the 300 block of S. Elm Street and located the body of 34 year-old Michael Lorenzo Joyner of Columbia, SC face down in the roadway. Joyner sustained what appeared to be a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Police Chief Tyrone Sutton said Joyner, a retired Army veteran, was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Police believe Joyner’s younger brother was involved in an argument sometime earlier in the day. Joyner, after learning of the incident, traveled from Columbia, SC to Princeton and an altercation erupted between him and the party previously engaged in an argument with his brother.
Chief Sutton said shots were fired at Joyner and he was struck and fatally wounded. Police don’t know why Joyner was wearing body armor.
A relative said Joyner is survived by his wife and one child. Recently Joyner moved his mother from Goldsboro to Columbia into his home so he could better care for her.
The police chief said law enforcement officers are attempting to locate a person of interest in the shooting. At last report, that individual is still at large. Chief Sutton declined to release the name of the person of interest.
Anyone with information about the deadly shooting is asked to contact Princeton Police at 919-936-8171.
Princeton Police are being assisted by the NC SBI, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and Johnston County District Attorney’s Office.
