William Neville: NC grandfather shot dead while eating cereal, daughter says killer must be ‘heartless’
HALIFAX, NORTH CAROLINA: William Neville, an 81-year-old great-great-grandfather was shot dead on New Year's Day.
Neville was enjoying a bowl of cereal and watching TV in his Halifax County apartment when a stray bullet pierced through the wall and killed him.
William Neville's daughter says he never bothered anyone
William Neville's daughter, Denise Williams Cherry, described him as a kind and loving man who “never met a stranger."
“My father didn’t bother anyone and was loved by many,” Cherry wrote on Facebook on January 2. “He was a great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend," she added.
Neville was not the only victim of the shooting that occurred at 6.30 pm on January 1. Another man, Eric Davis, was also hit by gunfire and taken to a hospital where he received treatment and later was released, according to the Enfield Police Department.
The police said the shots came from the rear of the apartment building and struck multiple units, according to ABC11. They are investigating the deadly shooting and have asked the State Bureau of Investigation for assistance in solving the crime.
William Neville's daughter pleads for justice and peace
Cherry said she was devastated by the loss of her father and urged anyone who knows anything about the shooting to come forward. She also called for an end to the gun violence that claimed her father’s life and could endanger others.
“Now, a great-great-grandfather sitting on the chair eating a bowl of cereal is deceased,” Cherry said,.adding “…Only a heartless individual would be responsible. I ask, no I beg of you, if you know something, say something."
"Put the guns down and stop the senseless killing and shooting. Last night, it was my father and another young man. Tomorrow, it could be one of your loved ones. Enough is enough," she further said.
Police said they will bring William Neville's perpetrators to justice
Enfield police chief Eric Johnson echoed Cherry’s sentiments and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also appealed to the community to work together to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
“I know everyone is scared. Right? But together if they would work with us, we will make a difference in this community and we will take back these streets, so help me God," Johnson said.
"These people, whoever these folks were who shot at this complex, they didn’t show any mercy to the residents there. So when it comes time for us to charge them, we’re not going to show them any mercy either on the charges,” Johnson added.
