#roxboro

Roxboro, N.C. — Youths have been pointing what appear to be guns at people in Roxboro, and Police Chief David Hess said the so-called "prank wars" need to stop before they end in tragedy.

Hess said Tuesday that the trend started on TikTok, and Roxboro teens and children have picked it up and are pointing devices that shoot water pellets and mimic the sound of gunfire.

"Some of them are multi-colored, but in the evening hours, which is the time we’ve investigated these complaints, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for a reasonable person to see that it’s a toy gun," he said.

One person called 911 at about 9 p.m. July 20 to report that they were at a stoplight when someone pointed a gun at them.  In another 911 call from about 6:30 p.m. Monday, the caller said four males pulled a gun while the caller while driving down the road.

Hess said officers found the perpetrators in both cases.  No charges have been filed yet, he said, but if the incidents continue, those involved could face charges of assault by pointing a firearm, as well as violations of city ordinances.

“Anytime you’re talking about someone pointing a weapon, whether it’s real or perceived to be real, there’s a concern for public safety," he said.  "That’s why we want to take this educational opportunity – TikTok trends are not made for the streets."

Hess urged parents to educate their children as well about the danger of pointing "guns" at people in public.

"Playing in your back yard is one thing.  Bringing it out in view of the public, in the streets, is a dangerous decision," he said.  "These people have discharged at each other and at motorists passing them, and again, these toys sound like a real gun.  So, to someone who is not playing this game, they think their life is in danger, and that can have tragic consequences."

Roxboro resident Shantel Reese agreed.

"I don’t think it seems like a game to be doing out in public," Reese said.  "It is dangerous because you can come around the wrong [person] one day, and that could be either your life or you could get seriously injured."

ROXBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man has died after being shot by police near a Dollar General store in Roxboro around noon on Friday [2020-07-24]. It happened on Old Durham Road near the store on Weeks Drive, right next to Burchwood Cemetery. At 10:38 a.m., Roxboro police officers were dispatched to the area after a 911 caller reported that an armed man "wearing a mask" was walking down the street holding a gun. According to police, the caller said it appeared to be a shotgun. Police officers arrived at the scene on at 10:40 a.m.  Six minutes after that, shots were fired. David Brooks Jr., 45, who was identified as the man who was shot, later died from his injuries. Police Chief David Hess said he was unable to release information about what led up to the shooting at this time, including who fired shots. He said that a loaded, sawed-off shotgun was found at the scene.

A witness at the scene who said she was the cousin of the victim told ABC11 that her cousin was picking up some things from the store.  She said he lives very close to the area. Hess said he could not confirm at this time whether Brooks ever went inside the store with the shotgun. Two police officers are on administrative duty following the shooting, as is standard protocol. When asked what warning was given to Brooks before shots were fired, Hess said he couldn't say for sure at this time but it is department protocol that, "to the extent feasible" an officer provide a warning before firing shots. Roxboro Police Department does not deploy body-worn cameras but Hess said there are in-car cameras.  The department is reviewing the footage to determine what part of the shooting, if any, was captured. The family told ABC11 that the department was familiar Brooks because of previous run-ins he had with officers.  They felt that this particular incident could have been handled better, given the man's mental health challenges. Hess said he could not speak to Brooks' mental health status or demeanor at the time of the shooting. North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been placed in charge of the investigation. Hess said it's been more than 29 years since a Roxboro officer has been involved in a shooting in the city. Friday night under the Main Street Pavillion in Roxboro's historic downtown, dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Brooks' memory.   Family members, friends and concerned citizens took the megaphone to call for justice and to reject any notion that Brooks' death was a justified shooting by Roxboro PD. 

"(Brooks) was not being aggressive to anyone," said his brother Jerriminco Brooks.  "The camera in the store will show that.  And the body camera of the officer will show the last moment my brother took his breath." Brooks' cousin Tanillya Patridge accused Roxboro Police of a double-standard when it came to black men -- saying officers did nothing to stop white demonstrators, armed with assault-style weapons, who gathered downtown, earlier this summer, to protest the removal Confederate monuments. "You shot him down like a dog in the street!  But when the KKK pushed through here -- where's everybody at.  You got 30, 50 white people with guns and dogs downtown, where's everybody at?!" Following the vigil, demonstrators marched through the streets chanting, "No justice, no peace."  They demanded the video evidence of the shooting and pledged to continue the demonstrations until "they see justice."  A second vigil is planned for Saturday evening at 7:00. The Person County NAACP released the following statement: The Person County NAACP chapter mourns the death of Mr. David Brooks Jr. We send our sincere condolences and prayers to the Brooks family and friends. It is unconscionable that our community is feeling this sting after what has been currently happening in our country. It is unfortunate that we are addressing yet another wound that has been dealt to us by those who have sworn to protect and serve. The Person County NAACP chapter is very much interested in what happened to Mr. Brooks, and we are currently requesting that the incident be investigated by the State and if necessary a Federal investigation will be called upon. As the investigations unfold, the NAACP will seek answers about the circumstances surrounding Mr. Brooks death. Even as we call for accountability by those charged with protecting the community, we call on the community to act collectively and calmly until the investigations unfold. We will do everything in our power to make sure justice is served for the family of Mr. David Brooks Jr.