Mother calls for answers as investigation into son’s death continues

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Nearly nine months after Shelton Long was found dead in Wilmington, police are still working to find the person or people who shot him.

Long was found suffering from a gunshot wound on River Road in the early morning hours of November 5, 2021; he died at the scene. Long’s mother Pamela remembers the last conversation she had with her son.

“I had text messages from him,” Pamela said. “I think they stopped at like, maybe, 8:30. You know, he was like, ‘I love you, mom.’ ‘I love you too, Shelton.’ and he’s like, ‘I love you, mom.’ I was like, ‘why do you keep saying, you know, keep saying it?”

A few weeks ago, Pamela visited the site where Shelton died. She says that was the moment she realized she wanted to do more to bring her son’s killer to justice.

“I guess I waited this long- I should have done something sooner, but reality is kind of setting in,” she said. “I want to do as much as I can to be able to get my son justice.”

The Wilmington Police Department says the investigation is ongoing and they have not made any arrests or named any suspects. Pamela believes there are people out there who might know what happened to her son and are not speaking up.

“If somebody you know killed somebody, I would, you know, I would be scared, too,” said Pamela. “But you know, they just need to know that they can they can help without nobody knowing.”

As her reality starts to set in, Pamela knows her son will be remembered, but wants those responsible to be brought to justice.

“You know, some people pass and people forget about it, but a lot of people have shown love for my child, and I know he won’t ever be forgotten,” said Pamela. “But I just need to know, whoever did this needs to be brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or leave an anonymous tip using the Tip 411 app.

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