WHITEVILLE, NC — Two men are being held under no bond after an exchange of gunfire on Ward Street early Friday evening.
Multiple shots were heard in the area just before officers arrived at approximately 7:05 p.m. Police located two individuals believed to be involved in the exchange of gunfire and took both into custody.
Shyreak W. Belton, 34, of 429 Ward Street, was booked under no bond. Belton is charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling or moving vehicle, a felony offense under North Carolina law.
Arthur D. Jackson, 19, of 106 City Drive, was booked under no bond. Jackson faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a weapon into occupied property, discharging a firearm in the city, and possessing a handgun as a minor.
The arresting agency was the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. Both men were booked into the Columbus County Detention Center at 2:53 a.m. on August 15, 2026.
Friday’s incident reflects a shift in how personal disputes among young men are unfolding, with conflicts escalating directly to firearms instead of the lower‑level confrontations more common with past generations.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue. The investigation remains active.
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