North Carolina
3 critically hurt after man shot at Amazon vans, caused head-on crash in North Carolina, sheriff says
KINSTON, N.C. (WBTV) – A Charlotte man and two others were in critical condition after he allegedly shot at multiple Amazon vans and crashed head-on into a car in eastern North Carolina this past weekend.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said the man, 34-year-old Lonneil Cordarius Mason, shot into three Amazon vans in Kinston, N.C. on Sunday, March 23. The first two vans were on C.F. Harvey Parkway near Kinston Regional Jetport, while the third happened on Highway 11.
Deputies said none of the Amazon drivers were hurt, but investigators found bullet holes left by .45-caliber and AR-15 pistols. One of the shots fired went through a van’s passenger door.
Just minutes after Mason allegedly shot into the vans, deputies said he drove up the wrong side of Highway 11. Deputies said he hit three vehicles. The first vehicle lost a mirror, the second was hit head-on by Mason, and the third vehicle was a truck towing lawnmowers.
The sheriff’s office said two females were in the car that Mason hit head on, and both of them and Mason were taken to the hospital. All three were said to have been in critical condition as of Sunday evening.
After the crash, deputies said .45 and AR-15 pistols were found, along with cocaine and fentanyl in Mason’s car and on him.
Mason is facing a list of charges related to Sunday’s chaos. Those offenses are listed below:
- Three counts of attempted first degree murder
- Three counts of shooting into occupied property
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver Schedule I controlled substance
The sheriff’s office said more charges could come later.
Deputies said Mason previously served more than 11 years in prison after he was convicted of second-degree murder and breaking and entering following a 2007 incident. Records showed he was convicted of those crimes in Mecklenburg County.
The Lenoir County sheriff called Sunday’s shootings and crash “tragic” and said his office did not yet know why Mason shot at the Amazon vehicles.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about the events was asked to call Lenoir County Communications at 252-559-6118.
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North Carolina
Damaged Flock camera in North Carolina town sparks online debate over surveillance tech
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (WLOS) — A damaged Flock Safety camera in Rutherfordton has reignited debate over the use of license plate reader technology, with thousands weighing in online after police shared a photo of the vandalized device.
The Rutherfordton Police Department posted an image of the damaged camera on social media, where the post quickly gained more than 20,000 comments. While some users condemned the vandalism, others praised the person responsible, with comments including “Not all heroes wear capes” and “Give them a medal.”
Local law enforcement officials said there is too much misinformation online about the cameras.
FLOCK CAMERA DAMAGED IN NORTH CAROLINA TOWN, PROMPTING POLICE STATEMENT
“We’re seeing a lot of misconceptions that these cameras collect more data than they actually do,” said Capt. Ryan Bailey with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. “The camera itself is only capturing the vehicle traveling down the road.”
Bailey said Flock cameras do not record video. Instead, they take still images of passing vehicles and capture license plate information. According to the sheriff’s office, those images are automatically deleted after 30 days.
The department also says safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the system. Deputies are required to enter a case number before searching the database, allowing administrators to audit searches and ensure the technology is being used appropriately.
JULY 8, 2026 – A Flock camera in Rutherford County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
Despite those protections, opinions among residents remain divided.
“I don’t like that idea at all because of the over-abundance of electronics and interference in our privacy,” Rutherfordton resident Rachel Alexander said.
Others believe the cameras are a valuable investigative tool.
“I have no really negative opinion with them. I think they’re really helpful, especially with criminals and children abductions,” said local homeowner Phyllis Irvine.
POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS?
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says the cameras have also proven useful in locating vulnerable people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disabilities who may have gone missing while driving.
Officials say the technology has become an important resource for investigations and emergency response across the county.
Flock cameras cost about $3,500 each. Law enforcement officials say anyone caught intentionally damaging one could face charges.
North Carolina
North Carolina Republican operative shaping the state’s early voting plans is reassigned
North Carolina state Auditor Dave Boliek has reassigned a staffer working on state election preparations following reporting illustrating how the longtime Republican operative was using his position to shape county’s early voting plans.
North Carolina
North Carolina man accused of shooting and killing another tourist inside of a Broward Airbnb, police say
A Fourth of July trip to South Florida ended in tragedy after a 21-year-old North Carolina man was shot and killed inside a Hollywood Airbnb, according to police.
Investigators say Jaydon Williams, 21, was shot multiple times early Saturday morning at a vacation rental in the 1900 block of Funston Street. Hollywood police have arrested 21-year-old Devian Blount, also of North Carolina, and charged him with first-degree murder.
Officers responded to the home around 1 a.m. Saturday, following reports of a shooting. They arrived to find Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he died.
According to the arrest report, Williams was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend at the time of the shooting. She told investigators she heard someone accuse Williams of stealing, followed by a verbal argument and several gunshots.
The incident has left neighbors shaken in the typically quiet Hollywood community. While some residents noted they were aware that the home operated as a short-term rental, others expressed concerns about the property’s transient nature.
“That’s a bad idea to me to have an Airbnb in this neighborhood where so many people and kids live,” said neighbor Dorell Green. “Different types of people come and go. You don’t know who is coming or leaving.”
Ivette Santana, another resident, said her primary concern is the violence. “I don’t care about the Airbnb,” Santana said. “My problem is the shooting over there.”
Blount is being held without bond at the Broward County Jail.
CBS News Miami has contacted Airbnb to determine if the property remains in operation. We are also working to contact the property’s owners.
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