Man charged with shooting woman, 2 officers denied bond as heavily armed police on-site for hearing
WILSON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A woman remains in the hospital, and two officers are recovering after all three were shot outside the Wilson County Courthouse by the same man, the sheriff's office says.
According to the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, the woman was shot around 10:40 a.m. on her way into the courthouse. The officers were shot shortly after in a gunfire exchange with the suspect.
On Tuesday, the accused shooter, 21-year-old Abdul Karim Mustafa, made his first court appearance on charges of: attempted first-degree murder, going armed to the terror of the people, discharging a firearm in city limits and damage to real property.
The judge denied bond for him and requested an out-of-district public defender be appointed to represent him.
Heavily armed officers were present outside and inside the Wilson County Courthouse for the suspect's first appearance.
How the courthouse shooting unfolded
Investigators said they believe the woman was shot in a retaliation shooting that's related to the investigation of a teen who was shot and killed three weeks ago in Wilson.
They say the suspect (Abdul Mustafa) was lying in wait on a bench in front of the Wilson County Courthouse, and when she arrived, Mustafa shot her several times as she was walking up the steps to the courthouse. The 19-year-old woman is believed to be the sister of the 17-year-old charged with killing 16-year-old Ladarrius Simmons.
When officers from the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and Wilson Police Department responded to the courthouse after the woman was shot, they say Mustafa started shooting at officers. Officers returned fire and Mustafa ran away from the scene. He was taken into custody shortly after.
A Wilson police officer and a Wilson County deputy were shot during the exchange. The officer was taken to ECU Health Medical Center and was expected to recover. Both are expected to make a full recovery.
Investigators say the woman who was shot, Latoya Lucas scheduled to be in court Tuesday for her alleged role as an accessory after the fact in Ladarrius' murder.
WATCH | Timeline of how the shooting unfolded
The Wilson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting at the courthouse. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating the officer-involved gunfire exchange.
The Wilson Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding the shooting to call (252) 399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 243-2255.
This story will be updated as more information is released.
