The quiet of a Saturday night in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was shattered by gunfire. By the time police arrived, a beloved member of the community was gone. Staci Lee Davis, 43, had been fatally shot, leaving neighbors, coworkers, and friends struggling to understand how someone known for kindness and service could lose her life so suddenly.
Police say the shooting happened around 10:23 p.m. on March 7 near the intersection of Gum Branch Road and Williamsburg Parkway. Officers from the Jacksonville Police Department rushed to the area after reports of gunshots. When they arrived, they found Davis suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
News of her death quickly rippled through the community. Many people knew Davis through her work with early childhood programs and through her leadership at the New River YMCA – Onslow. Those who worked beside her described a woman who cared deeply about children and families, someone who showed up every day ready to help.
Dawn Rochelle, the CEO of One Place, spoke about the loss with visible emotion. She called Davis “a light in our community,” saying her kindness and generosity touched countless lives. Rochelle urged people to honor Davis not just with words, but with actions—by showing compassion and support to others in the community.
Investigators say the shooting followed an argument between Davis and a man identified as Michael Ray Davis Jr. Witnesses at the scene provided officers with a description of the suspect, allowing police to quickly locate and detain him nearby.
According to court documents, Davis Jr. was found in possession of a two-tone Smith & Wesson SW40VE .40 caliber handgun. Authorities say he also has a prior felony conviction for involuntary manslaughter, which legally prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
He is now being held without bond at the Onslow County Detention Center. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, March 9, as investigators continue building their case.
For many residents, the tragedy has left a deep scar. Friends and neighbors say Davis represented the kind of quiet leadership communities depend on—someone who worked behind the scenes to lift others up. Now those who knew her are searching for ways to keep that spirit alive even after such a painful loss.
Authorities say the investigation remains active. Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about what happened that night to come forward as they work to piece together the full story behind the shooting that took Staci Lee Davis’s life.
