WILMINGTON, N.C. — A quiet Monday evening in Wilmington’s Creekwood neighborhood ended in heartbreak after gunfire took the life of a young man just starting out in adulthood.
Police say officers rushed to the 800 block of Emory Street shortly after 6 p.m. on January 26, following an alert from ShotSpotter, a system designed to detect possible gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, lying in the neighborhood as neighbors looked on in shock.
Emergency medical crews moved quickly, rushing the victim to a nearby hospital. Despite doctors’ efforts, he later died from his injuries, turning an already tense scene into a homicide investigation.
Wilmington police have now identified the victim as 20-year-old Dajour Ellison of Wilmington. His death has left family members grieving and residents in the Creekwood area shaken by yet another act of violence close to home.
Investigators say the shooting is being treated as a homicide, and detectives are still working to piece together exactly what led up to the gunfire. As of now, police have not released information about a suspect or a possible motive.
Neighbors say the sound of gunshots broke the calm of the early evening, a reminder of how quickly life can change on an ordinary street. For many in the area, the loss of a young life has renewed concerns about safety and the impact of gun violence on the community.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard something, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward. Tips can be shared directly with the Wilmington Police Department or submitted anonymously through the Tip 411 app.
As the investigation continues, Dajour Ellison’s name now joins a growing list of young lives cut short, leaving behind unanswered questions and a community searching for peace.
