Families scatter from Long Leaf Park after hearing shots fired
Families scattered when shots were fired at Long Leaf Park By WECT Staff | May 5, 2021 at 7:25 PM EDT - Updated May 5 at 11:50 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - People scattered at the sound of gunfire at Long Leaf Park off College Road on Wednesday evening around 7 p.m., Sheriffâs say.
The shooting was confirmed by New Hanover County Sheriffâs Lt. Jerry Brewer who was at the park with his family when the shooting occurred.
About 40 people were at the basketball courts at the time and the softball field stands were crowded with families watching their kids at the ball games.
Night at the ballpark turns into chaos after shooting at Long Leaf Park
Night at the ballpark turns into chaos after shooting at Long Leaf Park By Michael Praats | May 6, 2021 at 3:37 PM EDT - Updated May 10 at 10:31 AM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It started off as a regular spring night at Long Leaf Park, formerly Hugh MacRae Park, with little league games taking place and people practicing their swings at the batting cages. But that calm evening soon turned into chaos and confusion after gun shots rang out from the basketball court, just yards away from the baseball fields.
Question:
A neighbor has allowed both her home and her yard to fall into hideous disrepair. I believe there is an ordinance that requires her to maintain upkeep. What office do I contact?
City of Wilmington spokesperson Dylan Lee recommends calling the Code Enforcement section at 910-341-3266 or submitting the information online at wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/community-services/code-enforcement.
For residents of the unincorporated areas of New Hanover County, a suspected zoning or ordinance violation can be reported to New Hanover County Planning & Land Use at 910-798-7116.
For complaints about high grass, tall weeds, and other environmental issues, contact the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 910-798-4200. A deputy will come out and take a report and then the sheriff s office will have an environmental detective come out to investigate.
Cathey was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to the release.
Walker is currently being held at the New Hanover County Sheriff s Office under a $50,000 secured bond, according to a Monday news release. He also has pending court dates in July for speeding, reckless driving to endanger and operating a vehicle with no license, according to N.C. Courts.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run fatality is encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or through the Wilmington, NC PD app to submit anonymous tips.
Reporter Krys Merryman can be reached at 910-343-2272 or kmerryman@gannett.com.
Mitchel Carlton Walker, 28, of Wilmington, was charged Monday in connection with the felony hit-and-run that happened on South College Road and Wilshire Boulevard in Wilmington just after 2 a.m. Saturday. According to a news release from the Wilmington Police Department, Richard Cathey was walking west on South College Road at Wilshire Boulevard when he was hit by an unknown black car. The car did not stop after hitting him.
Richard Cathey was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to the release. He was a great guy, Justin Cathey said. He was one of the funniest guys I knew. He picked everyone up when they were down. He was amazing, and a very proud brother and family man.