A suspect in a Southern Pines shooting investigation has been arrested and was placed under an $80,000 bond at the Moore County Detention Center on Wednesday.
Nelson Ismail, age 21, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, discharge firearm in city, and parole violation, according to information from the Moore County Detention Center.
The Southern Pines Police announced on May 21 that they were looking for the Rockingham man after a shooting occurred in the 900 block of Iowa Avenue on May 20.
Southern Pines Police were the first to arrive at the shooting scene near South Gaines Street. The shooter fled the scene before they arrived. Paramedics immediately called for a helicopter upon reaching the victim.
Southern Pines Fire & Rescue set up a landing zone at the Memorial Ball Field in Southern Pines where a UNC helicopter landed and transported the man to a trauma center. Authorities did not release the man’s identity. The man is home recovering.
At the scene on West Iowa Avenue, the home had a heavy police presence, and the driveway and front yard were cordoned off with crime scene tape.
“It is believed the victim and the suspect knew each other, and this incident is not a random act of violence,” said Southern Pines Police Department in a press release on May 21. “Ismail is a documented gang member who is known to illegally possess a firearm and should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Ismail’s first court appearance is May 27, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
