Police rushed to what they thought was a heart attack call only to find 22 year-old Courtney Rea had been murdered. Eyewitnesses said Rea was shot.
Authorities arrested Eric Devon Hooker around 9:00 p.m. Friday. Hooker, who is the father of Rea's newborn child, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Neighbors said police had been stationed outside the Mercer Street home where Rea was found dead.
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"I used to see her walking the child past my house," said neighbor James Vick. "I guess taking him for a walk in the park behind this house."
According to neighbors, Rea was the mother of a 3-year-old child and a newborn.
Some neighbors said Rea was sort of closed off from most people nearby but they would see her around.
"Her parents I think, or her grandparents, live right down the road where she lived and she would walk by here," said neighbor William Finch.
For two days, the home was a crime scene. Officers were seen going in and out of the home. Investigators were taking photographs, collecting evidence, and were seen combing through a vehicle parked in a carport.
"They've been here consistently and they've worked continuously and they haven't given up," said Finch. "They haven't slowed down. They kept on going."
The young mother's death is the first homicide in Wilson this year.
Hooker is currently being held at Wilson County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at (252) 243-2255 or (252) 399-2323.
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