RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources reported that Amarillo Deshaun Bryant, 34, of 839 E. Lafayette Street in Salisbury, a victim of an August 30th shooting at 211 E. Bank Street, was arrested Wednesday for alleged drug possession, parole violation, and obstructing an officer at the Burger King on 824 E. Innes Street.

Bryant was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance schedule II (felony), possession of controlled substance schedule VI (misdemeanor) and parole violation (felony). Under a secured $5,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

The Salisbury Police received a call to the Burger King at 824 E. Innes where it was reported Bryant was seen in the restaurant. When officers arrived they spotted Bryant in a rental Hyundai parked in the Burger King lot. Bryant was ordered out of the vehicle and searched. When officers allegedly asked Bryant to place the contents of his pockets on the hood of the Hyundai, he allegedly began to resist. The officers took him to the ground and pulled a small plastic bag from his mouth later identified as “Molly”. Handcuffed, he was placed inside a patrol car. Besides the “Molly”, Bryant was found to possess 7 grams of marijuana, digital scales, 2 cell phones, and $271 dollars in cash.

Amarillo Deshaun Bryant’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0690463&searchLastName=Bryant&searchFirstName=amarillo&searchMiddleName=d&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

The RFP reported on August 30th that Amarillo Deshaun Bryant, 34, of 839 East Lafayette Street in Salisbury was shot inside a house at 211 E. Bank Street. The apartment belonged to Michael Lee Glenn.  Bryant was airlifted to the Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte from Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. He is reported to be in critical condition from a chest wound.

Shooting Victim Amarillo Deshaun Bryant:

211 East Bank Street in Salisbury was arsoned in 2009:

Salisbury Police vehicles arrived quickly at the shooting.

The motive for the shooting is not yet known.  No arrests at this time and no suspects have been named.

The incident is under intensive investigation.

Todd Paris, Staff Writer and Salisbury Attorney

♦ Practical Tips for Charlotte Car Commuters

If you have to go to Charlotte to work, take 29 or 49, avoid I-85 and 285. Get out of there by dark if you can. Avoid uptown if you can.

Study the RFP’s  Castle Doctrine made simple in NC (below) you can probably shoot someone trying to break into your car while you are in it.

If you can’t stand guns, get some OC spray. It kind of works and it’s vegan.

Your car is more powerful than any firearm, however don’t run over anyone unless they’re attempting to break into the car or extract you from the vehicle. No traffic right of way law in this state allows you to mow down pedestrian rioters.

Remember, most minor moving violation traffic laws may be violated in an emergency. If you have to cross a median or jump a curb to escape, do it.

Abandon the car as a last resort, but don’t feel you have to stay and protect it. It’s just a thing and most of us have comprehensive insurance.

Pack a “bug-out bag” – comfortable running shoes or hiking boots, seasonably appropriate clothes, defensive weapons, a stand alone charger for your phone, a little food, extra necessary prescription drugs and a space blanket. Google “bug-out bags” you will get many ideas on the web.

A paper map of Charlotte or the city you are in, just in case the cell phone system becomes overwhelmed. A cheap portable transistor radio may be a life saver.

If you have a firearm, extra ammo.

Some cash. Cards may be down.

Some safe drinking water.

Be alert. The modern smart phone is a wonderful device. Monitor “hot spots” and avoid them. Better to sneak in and out by 49 or 29 even if it take an extra 30 minute than get hurt or killed on a faster route.

If you commute into a large city, find coworkers that live in a safe area where they can let you crash for a few days. Visit there and mark their addresses on your paper map. Make sure friends and family have that address and number.

First aid kit for wounds and trauma.

Keep a full or almost full tank. You never know how long you might be trapped in a “riot-jam.”

Be under the radar. That Trump or NRA bumper sticker you so proudly sport of may focus crowd attention on you and your vehicle. You have a right to freedom of speech, yet you may have elevated consequences for its exercise.

N.C. Law for Defending Your Home, Vehicles, and Work Place: Castle Doctrine

RFP Staff

♦ Sources in the Salisbury Police Department reported that David Ryan Wood, 29, of the 900 block of Sunset Drive in Salisbury, was arrested early Wednesday morning at 925 Bendix Drive for allegedly stealing $5,000 worth of diamond Rings from K-Dee’s Jewelry at 114 E. Innes Street on September 17th. According to police accounts Wood allegedly entered the store and engaged an employee about a watch battery and then asked another employee if he could place some jewelry on hold. With the employee distracted, Wood allegedly reached into a display cabinet and helped himself to a diamond ring set valued at $5,000. He quickly walked out of the store. The empty space in the cabinet was soon noted and the security cam video was examined.

K-Dee Jewelry at 114 E. Innes Street in Downtown Salisbury, N.C.

A combination of leads due to K-Dee’s Jewelry store security cam stills (below) being placed on social media and careful follow up on the diamonds in area pawn shops allegedly turned up Wood’s name. Well known to the Salisbury Police from previous contacts, Wood became easy prey. The streets were getting smaller.

In the wee hours of the morning Woods was picked up at 925 Bendix Drive (below):

Wood was charged with larceny (felony). Under a secured $3,000 bond, he was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.

David Ryan Wood:

David Ryan Wood’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0979909&searchLastName=wood&searchFirstName=david&searchMiddleName=r&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

RFP Staff

♦ Yesterday we learned from shoppers and an employee at the Magic Mart store at 725 Jake Alexander Boulevard S. in Salisbury that the store was expected to close at an unspecified date in early December.

The closing came as no surprise because Magic Mart appeared to be suffering from diminishing traffic over the past few years due to area competition.  The parent company Ammar’s Inc. closed a number of stores in other states.  Neighboring Ryan’s buffet on Jake Alexander Boulevard South closed only a few weeks back.

The Salisbury Magic Mart, which occupied the former building of the city’s first Walmart, in recent years become the focus of local consumer complaints about alleged advertising where customers saw circulars offering bargain products not found in the store.  Like other retailers in Salisbury, pilferage was a challenge.

Magic Mart’s history from their website:

http://magicmartstores.com/index.shtml

RFP Staff

♦ Charles Edward Pigg, 61, a convicted sex offender whose last known address was 1515 S. Salisbury Avenue in Spencer, was arrested Friday night at 630 Clark Road in Salisbury by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies for failure to notify the Sheriff’s Office of his change of address.

Pigg was charged with failure to notify of address (felony). Under a secured $10,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Pigg has convictions for sex crimes involving children in Iredell County including several counts of attempted rape and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Charles Edward Pigg’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0602905&searchLastName=pigg&searchFirstName=charles&searchMiddleName=e&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

RFP Staff

♦ According to Salisbury Police sources officers were dispatched to the scene of a shooting at 212 East 11th Street in Salisbury at 1:12 a.m. There they found April Cora-Lucille Hall, 38, from 111 8th Street in Spencer laying outside a vacant house with a critical gunshot wound. Police and Sheriff’s Office vehicles quickly flooded the area.

212 East 11th Street in Salisbury, N.C.:

She was transported to by a fire department emergency vehicle to Novant Health Rowan Medical before being helicoptered to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. She died Saturday evening.

The Late April Cora-Lucille Hall:

At this time the Salisbury Police have made no arrests or revealed suspects.

An intensive investigation has gone on since early this morning.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Sources in the Salisbury Police report Michelle Tameka Dillingham, 24, was the victim of a box cutter robbery at her Crown Point Place apartment in the 300 block of Crown Point Drive in Salisbury. Dillingham was forced at bladepoint to give up her ZTE cellphone valued at $300. Mercifully the victim was not injured during the encounter reported at 9 p.m.

The Crown Point Place Apartments in the 300 block of Crown Point Drive in Salisbury:

The industrial box cutter, easy to conceal, has joined the upper echelon of robbery weapons in Salisbury along with handguns, hammers, knives, and brass knuckles:

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

♦ Salisbury Police sources report that Antonio Antwan McCullough, 38, of Elm Street in Salisbury, was the victim of an assault with a gun on near the ABC Store on 1401 S. Jake Avenue Boulevard in Salisbury, N.C. on Saturday evening when someone he knew drew a firearm on him and threatened him.  The crime was reported at 7:35 p.m.

The case was closed because the victim declined to pursue prosecution.

City-Data.com Map Comparing Regional Municipal Crime Statistics:

RFP Staff

♦ Decorated Vietnam Veteran Rodney Cress was honored by the Trump campaign to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Trump Highpoint Rally.  Here is a cellphone video one of his many friends provided the RFP of Rodney leading the Pledge.  Many of our RFP readers are familiar our RFP Veteran Advocate Rodney Cress who tends to our Veteran’s page and is also known as a generous advocate for pets.

The crowd loved Rodney and they loved Donald.  Rodney’s Pledge of Allegiance video:

Gallery of Photos from the Trump Highpoint, N.C. Rally:

Donald Trump with Rodney Cress, Rodney’s wife Millie and their daughter at the Highpoint Trump Rally:

Rodney riding shotgun in an Army helicopter in Vietnam:

Veteran Advocate Rodney Cress:

Rodney and Millie backstage with Donald Trump in Highpoint:

The crowd at the Trump Highpoint Rally:

Donald connecting with the crowd:

Security waiting for Donald Trump’s arrival:

Trump entertaining the Highpoint ralley:

Rodney Cress urges everyone to watch Monday Night’s Presidential Debate on September 26th between 9-10:30 p.m. EST from Hofstra University

CEDMag.com/Laura Hamilton

♦ Ultra Fast Wireless Broadband Over Power Lines: AT&T Labs Project AirGig Nears First Field Trials:

https://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2016/09/ultra-fast-wireless-broadband-over-power-lines-t-labs-project-airgig-nears-first-field-trials

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ Editor’s note: We thank Kenny for applying his photojournalist’s eye for this project of capturing a sampling of the many vacant storefronts and buildings in Downtown Salisbury, N.C.  Downtown’s many vacant apartment and office spaces were not within the scope of this photo gallery nor were the Downtown’s vandalisms, graffiti, and gang tags.  A walking tour from 500 N. Main to the South Main Bad Lands will strike many as a tour of a depressed area fallen on hard times. 

Sadly retailers and restaurants appear go in and out of business with great regularity due to the high cost of doing business and the lack of human traffic to the area. A fact of life in Downtown Salisbury is when a successful eatery is established another falls in its wake. For years the areas many cries for parking went unheard. The need for chain boutique retailers that might draw people to the area were thwarted. Night business is impractical because of the areas crime. The municipal services district tax, said to be the highest in North Carolina, to support the decrepit Empire Hotel remains on the books. The Empire Hotel’s alleged $20,000,000 project faces a wall of barriers before the developer might sign on the dotted line 2 years from now. Lest we forget the cost of rent or leases are prohibitive. With people moving away from Salisbury and bringing their spendable income with them–the future of the Downtown is grim.

Photo Gallery: City Councilman Kenny Hardin’s Downtown Salisbury Vacant Storefronts and Building Tour 2016

RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources report that around 11 a.m. today a trio of men held up the T-Mobile Store at 1215 E. Innes Street at gunpoint.  An immediate 911 dispatch went out and the area was quickly swarming with Salisbury Police, Sheriff’s Office, and NC Highway patrol vehicles.  Two of the men were quickly captured while a third retreated into the Hampton Inn where he was involved in a standoff with law enforcement. The Hampton Inn was evacuated. No reports of injury.

Helicopters circled the area in the early afternoon. No word yet on the third suspect’s capture.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information is available.”

Todd Paris, Photography

♦ Welcome to the Debate Party at Commissioner Craig Pierce’s!  Come on in and grab a seat.

School Board Candidate Andrew Poston, Rowan County Republican Chairman Stephen Kidd, and Commissioner Craig Pierce watch the debates:

A room fill of Republicans at Craig Pierce’s debate party:

“What did she did she promise now?” asks someone out beyond the glow of the TV:

Looking in on the debate party at Commissioner Pierce’s:

All attention at Craig’s debate party is focused on the split screen:

Craig Pierce’s debate party draws to a close:

RFP Staff/FBI

♦ Latest Abysmal FBI UCR Crime Statistics for Salisbury, N.C. Came Out Monday September 26th 2016. Violent Crimes/Robberies/Aggravated Assaults/Arsons Up. Murders Remain the Same.

2015 FBI UCR CRIME STATISTICS for North Carolina Cities including Salisbury, N.C.:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/table-8/table-8-state-pieces/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_north_carolina_by_city_2015.xls

2014 FBI UCR CRIME STATISTICS for North Carolina Cities including Salisbury, N.C.:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-8/table-8-by-state/Table_8_Offenses_Known_to_Law_Enforcement_by_North_Carolina_by_City_2014.xls

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Salisbury City Councilman Kenny Hardin questions Robert Van Geons about RowanWorks (An economic development nonprofit dependent on City and County funding) and its alleged economic benefits for all of Salisbury. Van Geons ignores the questions and launches a rapid fire marketing spiel about RowanWorks brimming with high-sounding econo-speak:

Press Release

♦ Raleigh, N.C. – Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) issued the following statement Wednesday in response to Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts’ transparent attempt to deflect responsibility for her failed leadership and secrecy in the wake of her city’s riots onto others:

“Let me be clear – Mayor Jennifer Roberts has a moral obligation to the citizens of Charlotte to release all police videos related to the Keith Scott incident immediately.

“First she botched her city’s response to last week’s riots – from initially brushing off Gov. Pat McCrory’s multiple offers of state resources, like the National Guard, to ignoring repeated calls from her community and the press for transparency and answers.

“Now she wants a new state law related to police body cameras repealed – but why? Is she afraid she will be sued and forced to release the videos, as the law will make possible? Without it in place, she can continue to stonewall and keep videos secret from the public.

“Her complete failure in leadership illustrates the exact problem the law was designed to address: helping safeguard against when politicians like Jennifer Roberts make the wrong call like refusing to release all police footage related to this incident to the public. If she is really concerned about transparency, she can and should release all videos – right now.

“Roy Cooper should join me in calling on Mayor Roberts to release all police videos related to the Keith Scott case and denounce her foolish argument against a law he supports that was designed to keep politicians like her accountable.”

Background on Law
A new state law that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and becomes effective on October 1 does not prevent local governments and police departments from releasing video footage from police body cameras and dashboard cameras. In fact, it actually requires release of that footage upon a judge’s order.

Right now, policies on releasing video footage vary from county to county. But under the current law, one thing is true statewide: the decision on whether to release video footage is left up to politicians.

That’s why the new law establishes a uniform legal process across the entire state, and makes clear that the decision of whether to release that footage will be up to our courts, not politicians. The law ensures the decision will be made by a judge who we expect will review all evidence and make a thoughtful decision not based on politics.

The current situation in Charlotte is just one relevant example. While Mayor Jennifer Roberts refuses to release all video, there is very little, if any, recourse to go to court to challenge her decision under current law.

By contrast, the new law allows citizens the opportunity to go to court and ask a judge to release the footage when government officials refuse. Under the new law, Mayor Roberts’ decision could be overruled and the video released over her objection.

RFP Staff

♦ “Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned” William Congreve, English Playwright (1695)

According to Salisbury Police sources officers were dispatched Tuesday to 1208 Bell Street in Salisbury where they ran into a mixed bag domestic dispute allegedly involving a breaking and entry, a beat up ex-boyfriend/child’s father, and an alleged cop fighting woman who would not go easily to the magistrate’s office.

According to reports Kendra Ciara “Winky” Torrence, 28, of the 1100 block of Crosby Street in Salisbury, was involved earlier in a domestic altercation with her former boyfriend/her child’s father Jacquavius Raquan Whisonant, 20, living at 1208 Bell Street. The confrontation allegedly took place at Whisonant’s mother’s house after “Winky” allegedly followed Whisonant back from a neighborhood store. “Winky” allegedly tore into Whisonant battering his face with punches, ripping off his shirt, and scratching him.

Apparently “Winky” wasn’t finished. She showed up around 9 p.m. at 1208 Bell Street where Whisonant was staying and banged furiously at his door. When he wouldn’t respond, she attempted to gain entry through a window. That’s when the police showed up. She was promptly arrested and placed in handcuffs.

Once inside the police vehicle, officers allege “Winky” drew her handcuffed hands from behind her back and under her feet. Soon she tried to open a rear cage window. Struggling mightily with officers, she was subdued and placed in a “foot hobble” before her handcuffs were refitted.

1208 Bell Street in Salisbury, N.C.

1208 Bell Street incident Locator:

Torrence was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor), breaking and entering – building (misdemeanor), and simple assault and battery or affray (misdemeanor). Under a secured $2,500 bond, she is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Kendra Ciara “Winky” Torrence:

Jacquavius Raquan Whisonant:

Kendra Ciara “Winky” Torrence’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1111148&searchLastName=torrence&searchFirstName=kendra&searchMiddleName=c&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

♦ RFP Staff

Video: Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education Meeting on September 26th:

Public Announcement

♦ A School Board Candidates Forum will be held at the Republican Breakfast Club Meeting at Johnny’s Barbeque in Rockwell, N.C. at 8640 Highway 52.

Breakfast begins a 8 a.m. and Candidates Forum will be held at 9 a.m.

Be prepared to ask questions you would like candidates to answer.  If you have questions, email Craig Pierce at pierceconstruction@msn.com and he will respond.

Come and enjoy a good breakfast and conversation prior to the candidates forum.  Bring a friend!

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Councilman Kenny Hardin Questions Robert Van Geons Where RowanWorks Gets Its Funding:

RFP Staff

♦ Two days ago we heard a report that the remains of Erica Lynn Parsons,13, missing since November 2011, were found Tuesday in Chesterfield County, S.C.  Thursday afternoon reliable sources in the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the remains were found. The skeletal remains were located in a makeshift grave on a rural property off Moore Road between Pageland and Mt. Croghan in “red clay” Chesterfield County. Sandy Parsons, the adoptive father of Erica Parsons, led investigators to the remains allegedly to get a better deal. The property is alleged to belong to a family member of Sandy Parsons.

Map of Moore Road area, between Pageland and Mt. Croghan, in Chesterfield County, S.C.:

Map of Pageland and Mt. Croghan in Chesterfield County, SC:

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office along with FBI and the SBI obtained leads this August that Erica Parsons was deceased. On September 27th the remains were found and sent to the NC Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh where they were positively identified as Erica Parsons. How Erica died was not disclosed.

Erica was last seen in November of 2011.  Her adoptive family failed to report her missing until July of 2013. Jamie Parsons, the adoptive brother of Erica, reported her missing to the Sheriff’s Office in Rowan County.

Sheriff Kevin Auten, of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, will hold a press conference next week answering many unanswered questions about the late Erica Parsons.

Sheriff Kevin L. Auten:

Erica’s adoptive parents, Casey and Sandy Parsons are in federal prison on fraud charges for obtaining federal benefits for adoption assistance while Erica was missing. Sandy Parsons is currently being held at the Federal Medical Center Butner in Butner, N.C. and is scheduled for release in March 2022. Casey Parsons is presently serving time in the Federal Correctional Center Tallahassee in Tallahassee, Fla. She is scheduled for release in January 2024. Casey and Sandy Parsons future in prison will likely change due to the locating of their adoptive daughter’s remains.

The case remains under intensive investigation.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**