NEW INFO: Four now charged in Kinston drive-by shooting that injured three

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – Four people have been arrested and police are looking for a third person for a drive-by shooting last night that injured two teens and a 20-year-old.

Kinston police say Nas Whitfield, 19, is charged with three counts of attempted first degree murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and discharge a firearm in city limits.

Also facing charges are a 15-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl, and a 17-year-old boy. Police say the three teens are facing the same charges and have been put in secure custody.

The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. outside Richard Green Apartments, a public housing complex on Davis Street.

Police found two teenage girls – one 13 and the other 15 – with gunshot wounds. They were taken to the hospital. Police describe their conditions as stable.

Detectives were later called to UNC Lenoir Health Care where they found 20-year-old Rayshon Aytch who’d also been shot.

Police say all the victims were shot from the waist down and they have serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The community is now speaking up about the violence.

“Stop the violence,” neighbor Tanita Simpler said. “All the gunplay and all is not going to end you up nowhere except jail for the rest of your life or you’re going to end up dead.”

According to Chief Keith Goyette, crime has been down in Kinston, with Monday marking 134 days without anyone in the community being shot. However, after this shooting involving teenagers, his message to parents is clear.

“Just know where your children are at,” Chief Goyette said. “Know who they are interacting with and if you see something please say something.”

Whitfield is no stranger to police. He was arrested last month after police say he brought a gun onto the campus of Kinston High School, and the month before he was arrested on gun and drug charges.

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