Ahoskie Police Department

05/04/2026

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the unwavering support, valuable resources, and love shown to the victims families and to our community impacted by gun violence. Guns Down Prayers Up was a meaningful success to God be all the Glory! May God bless each of you abundantly!

04/30/2026

The Ahoskie Police Department will proceed with its scheduled Guns Down Prayers Up Event on May 2nd, rain or shine.

All vendors will be set up inside the Ahoskie Gym.

Weather permitting, the march will begin at 10am from the intersection Railroad Street and Main Street and proceed to the Ahoskie Gym.

We look forward to seeing you all!

04/10/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crfPS-gxliY

02/10/2026

Dear Community Members,

The Ahoskie Police Department cordially invites you to join us for Coffee with a Cop at Mug Shotz Cafe. This event provides an opportunity for community members and police officers to connect in a relaxed, informal setting. There is no agenda-just coffee, conversation, and a chance to build relationships, ask questions, and share thoughts or concerns.

We value open dialogue and look forward to strengthening our partnership with the community we proudly serve.

We hope you will stop by, say hello, and enjoy a cup of coffee with us.

God bless you all.

02/05/2026

02/04/2026

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted an Ahoskie man on charges of that he illegally possessed a firearm as a convicted felon.

Anton Montes Vernon

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Anton Montes Vernon, 31, had a 9mm pistol in his jeans pocket on the evening of November 9, 2023, in Ahoskie. As part of the Down East Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, officers conducted saturation patrols in high crime areas in communities in Northampton, Hertford, Gates, and Bertie Counties. Ahoskie, with a population of 4,891, is in Hertford County. During one of these saturation patrols, Ahoskie police saw Vernon and some other folks standing outside a vehicle parked at an intersection. When officers approached the group, they smelled the odor of ma*****na. They frisked the individuals for a safety check. They found a loaded 9mm pistol in Vernon’s pocket. North Carolina State prosecutors previously convicted Vernon of three separate breaking and entering offenses which qualified Vernon as an Armed Career Criminal under federal sentencing guidelines.

Anton Montes Vernon
“Armed Career Criminals like Vernon have an outsized impact on small communities in Eastern North Carolina, like Ahoskie.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “When Big Shark Bad Boys like Vernon carry illegal guns, they pose a risk to the entire community. My office and our great law enforcement partners will ensure that these career criminal felons cannot threaten our neighborhoods and loved ones all across the District. We will convict them at trial and keep working to make every North Carolinian feel safe.”

“The blatant disregard a career criminal has for law and order poses a serious threat to public safety,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Our job is to put a stop to their cycle of crime and violence, and we’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from repeat offenders.”

Vernon faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison when sentenced.

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the verdict. The Ahoskie Police Department, the Down East Drug Task Force, and the ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaren Kelly and Phil Aubart tried the case.

01/28/2026

MURDER ARREST
January 28, 2026

On January 28, 2026, at approximately 8:23 a.m., officers with the Ahoskie Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of West Rogers Street in reference to reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers located an individual, identified as Corey Lamont Brown, 48, who was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound.

The suspect, Leandrew Vinson, 65, remained on scene and was taken into custody without incident. A thorough investigation revealed that Mr. Brown and Mr. Vinson were involved in an apparent disagreement, during which Mr. Vinson allegedly shot Mr. Brown, resulting in his death.

Mr. Vinson has been charged with First Degree Murder and is currently confined at the Hertford County Detention Center under no bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for January 30, 2026, at Hertford County District Court.

I would like to thank the Ahoskie Police Department Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division, the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their dedication and assistance in this investigation.

01/03/2026

On January 3, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Ahoskie Police officers were dispatched to the Speedway convenience store located at 1000 E. Memorial Drive in reference to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered Randy M. Riddick, a 60-year-old male of Powellsville, North Carolina, deceased at the scene. This incident remains under active investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Ahoskie Police Department at (252) 332-5011.

11/19/2025

For Immediate Release

The Ahoskie Police Department announces additional arrests have been made in connection with the shooting that occurred at the Ahoskie To***co House on November 9, 2025.

On November 17, 2025, the Ahoskie Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile who was charged with the following offenses:

(1) Count of Attempted First-Degree Murder

(1) Count of Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction

On November 18, 2025, the Ahoskie Police Department arrested 18-year old male Shy'heim Jy'Kwan Bess of North Maple Street, Ahoskie, NC, who was charged with the following offenses:

(2) Counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder

(2) Counts of Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury

Bess is currently being held at the Hertford County Detention Center without bond.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Ahoskie Police Department for their continued hard work, dedication, and commitment to keeping the Town of Ahoskie safe.