Kinston teen charged with 16-year-old’s murder; victim tied to crimes the night before

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - A 17-year-old has been charged with Saturday’s shooting death of another teen in Kinston.

Police Chief Keith Goyette announced the arrest this morning and says the murder is connected to a stolen car and a home break-in that happened the night before. “We were able to identify a suspect in that particular case that is unfortunately a 17-year-old juvenile from Kinston. He was arrested for that particular crime.”

Killed in Saturday afternoon’s shooting at the old Teacher’s Memorial School on Marcella Drive was 16-year-old Jayden Ellis.

Ellis’ step-grandfather Gregory Dunk told WITN the family is going through a difficult time and are in disbelief. “Just to see the mother of a lot of these young men who have lost their lives, that’s awful... and to hear that scream that she had when she found out about her son.”

The chief says a stolen wallet and cell phone from the car were found on the murder victim after he was shot, but not a gun that was also in the car.

Goyette says the car was stolen from West Vernon Avenue around 9:25 p.m. Friday, a theft that was caught on video. He said the teens then drove the car to Hyman Avenue where they broke into an abandoned house, taking clothes, shoes, and other items. The stolen car was discovered at an apartment complex off Old Snow Hill Road about three hours after it was taken.

The 17-year-old has been charged with the murder of Ellis, larceny of a vehicle, breaking and entering, and possession of stolen property.

He said they are currently searching for another 17-year-old in connection with the case.

Dunk says, “Thank you to the Chief and his staff for such a quick arrest, I mean that helps a little, but this has been really tough on the family.”

Moving forward, his hope is for the community to come together to put an end to such violence. “I’m more concerned with the whole youth thing as a whole. I would just like to see us all come together. There has to be something done. We’re losing too many young men.”

Chief Goyette says, “I’m tired. I’m fed up with it. My guys in the back who probably have about 80 hours in 4 days, they’re tired of it too. We need to start raising our child, taking care of what needs to be done so we can stop this.”

A visitation for Ellis, who attended Kinston High School, will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at R. Swinson Funeral Service on East Blount Street, while the teen’s funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Alpha & Omega Church on East Washington Avenue.

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