Police Seek Armed And Dangerous Suspect In Murder Of Smithfield Man

GOLDSBORO – Goldsboro Police have identified a second suspect in a shooting that killed a 41-year-old Smithfield man and critically injured a Smithfield woman earlier this week.

Police announced Friday, that Deashawn Maleek Darden, 22, is wanted in connection with the November 9 shooting that claimed the life of Cory James Hodges, 41, of Smithfield.

A second victim, Tachelle Denise Stewart, 37, also of Smithfield, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to ECU Health Medical Center in critical condition.

Authorities said Darden has not been apprehended and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Darden is wanted on outstanding arrest warrants charging him with an open count of murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, going armed to the terror of the people, and discharging a firearm within city limits.

Another suspect, Kanye Khammonni Glasper, 22, was arrested November 10 in connection with the same shooting.

Glasper was located around 11:12 a.m. in the 1900 block of Wayne Memorial Drive by officers with several divisions of the Goldsboro Police Department. He was taken into custody without incident.

Glasper faces the same charges as Darden, including murder and attempted first-degree murder. He was ordered held without bond.

The shooting occurred around 7:33 p.m. November 9 in the 1100 block of North Jefferson Avenue.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting discovered Hodges suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

A short time later, police learned that Stewart had arrived at a local hospital in a private vehicle after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. She was subsequently transferred to ECU Health Medical Center for additional treatment.

Police have not released a possible motive for the shooting or disclosed what relationship, if any, existed between the victims and suspects.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about Darden’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Goldsboro Police Department at 919-705-6572 or 919-580-4213. Members of the public should not attempt to approach or apprehend him.