North Carolina
NC high schoolers’ access to loaded weapons
NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – After a string of shootings in the past few weeks in New Bern, it’s drawing attention to the access young people have to guns.
NC S.A.F.E., with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), shared data on social media from a report that found nearly 30% of high schoolers within the state say they could access a loaded weapon within an hour without permission, leaving one parent in New Bern worried.
“That makes me want to homeschool my child whenever she’s even able to go to school. I mean, hearing about all of the shootings and everything is really concerning,” says New Bern resident Alexis Branham.
Even for the New Bern Police Department, hearing the data came as a shock.
“It’s definitely a percentage too high in my opinion,” says SGT. Joseph Leggett.
It’s adding another layer of concern surrounding young people and their access to guns, a topic taking center stage after five shootings in the past three weeks in New Bern.
Police say they are mostly involved people between the ages of 15 to 25.
“We have seen juveniles and teenagers in possession of firearms. Most of the time, they’re getting them because they’re not secured or locked,” says SGT. Leggett.
New Bern Police say that gun owners, especially those who are parents, should safely store their guns by using safes or gun locks.
LazyK Cartridge Company gun store manager Kenneth Lipscomb says they try to help people who are turned away by the cost of gun storage by giving away gun locks to promote gun safety.
“Making sure that they [gun owners] understand that these are yours, not theirs. Once again, if they’re yours, have them locked up in a place that they can not access. When you have it out freely and about and anyone can access it, you’re not showing that it’s yours,” says Lipscomb.
More than 60,000 gun locks were given away in 2024 by the NCDPS to promote gun safety.
New Bern Police say they will be holding a press conference Friday to discuss the issues. WITN will be present and will bring you the latest.
Copyright 2025 WITN. All rights reserved.
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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