UPDATE: Fourth person arrested in connection to Wilmington gun crime investigation

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department arrested four people after an investigation into gun-related violations in the city.

On Oct. 3, 2022, a vehicle with a person inside was struck and a ShotSpotter activation occurred in the 1500 block of Moore Plaza. The most recent arrest was Justin Dean Caldwell, 34, who was arrested by authorities in Johnston County on Jan. 18. He was charged with:

• AWDW Intent to kill/felony conspiracy, discharge weapon occupied property
• Possession of firearm by a felon
• Possession of stolen firearm
• Carrying concealed gun
• Discharge firearm in city limits

Weeks after the shooting, on Oct. 25, the WPD arrested Goldsboro resident Bryan Mercer, 29, and he is now being held without bond. He was charged with:

• Discharge firearm into occupied property
• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Felony conspiracy
• Discharge firearm in a reckless manner

On Oct. 29, police arrested Jayden Canty, an 18-year-old Wilmington resident, in connection to two other ShotSpotter activations in the area of the Creekwood housing community over the past several weeks. He is being held with a $300,000 secured bond and was charged with:

• Discharge weapon into occupied property
• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Felony conspiracy
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Discharge firearm in a reckless manner
• CCW
• Possession of schedule VI controlled substance
• Possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

After attempting to flee during a vehicle stop in the 1300 block of Dawson Street on Oct. 13, 21-year-old Wilmington resident Quajohn Crews was arrested and is currently being held without bond.

“The suspect attempted to flee and officers initiated a brief pursuit. One stolen weapon was thrown from the vehicle and a passenger jumped out of the window while fleeing from officers. 21-year-old Quajohn Crews from Wilmington ran into a residence and was taken into custody shortly after without incident. The remaining vehicle occupants were detained and this case is currently ongoing,” wrote the WPD in a release.

Crews was charged with:

• Misdemeanor breaking and entering
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Carrying concealed weapon
• Resist delay obstruct

He was also charged in connection to a shooting on the 1000 block of Emory Street on Oct. 12. Those charges are as follows:

• Discharge firearm into occupied property
• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill

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