Fri. May 3rd, 2024

The victim in a domestic assault earlier this month in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina was shot and killed Tuesday at a Littleton apartment complex, the town’s police chief confirmed.

Wanted in the shooting death of 20-year-old Montasia Arrington is 23-year-old Jamazia Tillery, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, assault on a female, communicating threats, kidnapping, and damage to property on April 2 . 

Littleton police Chief Phillip Trivette said there was an ongoing domestic dispute between Tillery and Arrington.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday Littleton police received a call in which a young woman and her mother had been shot at an apartment on Little Drive off Ferguson Street.

Montasia’s mother, 48-year-old Teresa Arrington, was shot in the hip inside the apartment. She has been released from medical care.

Montasia was shot inside the apartment and then outside. She was found deceased at the scene, Trivette said.

Tillery, who is on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, is wanted for felony murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intrent to kill, firing into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Montasia had been living with her mother in Littleton although Trivette said it was not clear how long. She got a domestic violence protective order against Tillery, with whom she had a child.

Tillery has addresses in Roanoke Rapids.

At the time of Tuesday’s shooting death, Tillery was out on bond and scheduled to appear in Halifax County District Court today on charges related to a domestic assault which occurred at Fairfield Apartments in Roanoke Rapids on April 2.

Shortly before 3:15 a.m. Roanoke Rapids Officer N. Powell responded to the apartment complex and learned the victim sustained cuts from a knife and other injuries from an assault.

The victim fled to another apartment to call for help. 

The officers learned through further investigation that the victim’s ex-boyfriend, who was identified as Tillery, was in the home visiting with their child. 

During the visit Tillery became angry and an assault with a knife and physical assault occurred causing injuries to the victim. 

Tillery fled the apartment before officers arrived. He was located a few minutes later in the same area and taken into custody. 

He was initially jailed without opportunity for bond. At some point afterward he made bond.

Trivette declined to comment on what occurred between the time of the Roanoke Rapids charges and Tuesday’s shooting death which allowed Tillery’s release from jail.

When he was 16, Tillery was convicted on April 5, 2017, for felonious restraint of a minor and sexual battery of a victim who was 14 at the time, according to the registry. 

The offenses occurred on January 30, 2016. He received 30-months probation and was added to the registry on April 7, 2017, for a minimum period of 10 years.

His last known address was 160 Vine Street in Roanoke Rapids, an address which was last verified on October 20 of last year.

Trivette said the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force is aiding Littleton police in its search for Tillery.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-586-3413 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

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By Buffy Gunner

Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Mantra: Only YOU can be YOU. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com

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