Court documents show Franklin County murder suspect has been arrested 89 times
FRANKLINTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- The man wanted in connection with his estranged girlfriend's shooting death in Franklin County Sunday evening has been taken into custody.
Garry Yarborough, of Zebulon, surrendered peacefully to authorities in Raleigh around 5:30 a.m. Monday after a SWAT team surrounded the Days Inn Raleigh Glenwood-Crabtree in the 6600 block of Glenwood Avenue.
RAW VIDEO: Yarborough surrenders
Franklinton Police Chief John Green said Yarborough was taken to WakeMed to be treated for a gunshot wound he sustained Sunday evening during an altercation with Tracy Williams of Franklinton.
Green said Williams shot Yarborough as he attacked her around 5 p.m. in the parking lot of a Food Lion on U.S. 1 near a Cash Points ATM. He said Williams' gun then jammed and Yarborough fatally shot her.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Williams in front of the ATM with two guns, while the suspect's gun was missing. They believe she was trying to defend herself.
An eyewitness said she heard arguing before the shots.
Police said Yarborough fled the scene to Cornerstone Drive and fired into a home. They said he then forced a nurse living there to help him with his injury.
According to an eyewitness, the nurse living there said Yarborough wanted her to bandage him.
A short time later, police found the Yarborough's black SUV torched along Halifax Road in Franklin County.
At the time of his surrender, Yarborough was seen in exclusive video captured by ABC11 limping as he raised his hands in the air. After he was released from WakeMed, he was taken to the Franklinton Police Department and charged with first-degree murder in Williams' death.
Another man, Josiah Oakley - who the police chief called an accessory in the crime - was also taken into custody at the hotel.
Meanwhile, authorities have said there are documented complaints of domestic abuse within the past year between Yarborough and Williams.
In April, a warrant was issued for his arrest in Johnston County on assault charges after he allegedly bit her and held a knife to her throat while threatening to kill her. Earlier this month, she sought a protective order against him.
Yarborough has a lengthy criminal record including drug charges and accessory to a murder. In all, he's been arrested for various alleged offenses 89 times.
Community Urged to Help
Now, victim advocates are calling on the community to hold offenders accountable and intervene before it's too late.
"Any domestic violence homicide one is too many," said Kathryn Johnson, the Associate Executive Director of InterAct, a domestic violence victim advocacy group in Wake County.
Johnson said her organization has seen demand for services triple in recent years.
Click here for more information about InterAct.
"I think people often look at these situations as though they are quiet, family matters that happen behind closed doors," said Johnson.
However, Johnson said ultimately neighbors, friends, family, and even the faith community can do their part to intervene and support victims of domestic violence.
"Our hearts go out to the family that is left behind to deal with this horrible tragedy," said Johnson.
Williams twice tried to file a protective order against the man now charged with her murder.
"Yes, it's justice system. It's service providers, but it's bigger than that. It is our community identifying and holding perpetrators accountable," said Johnson.
Williams' family is planning a vigil for Tracy this Thursday night at 8 p.m. in front of Franklinton Middle School. They are asking everyone to wear purple since it was Tracy's favorite color.
