Team Cold Case is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of 31-year-old Jaquater Staton in Tarboro.
While authorities have never released Staton’s name, a source familiar with the case confirmed her identity on the condition of anonymity.
Staton, the mother of four, was asleep in her bed in the early morning hours of July 2 when two unidentified groups of people began exchanging gunfire in the 2300 block of Sherwood Avenue.
She was struck by a bullet that penetrated the wall of her apartment.
Tarboro police responded to a call of shots fired about 1 a.m. and met a man outside the apartment who told them his girlfriend had been shot.
At that point, officers entered the residence, located Staton and began applying first aid, which included CPR and an automated external defibrillator. Despite those efforts, she died from her wounds.
According to sources, Staton and her family had planned to leave on a trip to the beach the next morning.
A news release from the Tarboro Police Department at the time said early evidence in the investigation indicated that two groups of people exchanged gunfire in front of the victim’s apartment. During the exchange of gunfire, Staton was struck by one of the rounds. Police say the two groups then left the area in separate vehicles.
A recent post on the department’s Facebook page said investigators continue to review surveillance videos, process evidence and follow up on information about the shooting. In the process, they have noted numerous missed calls with blocked numbers and no messages being left.
Anyone with information or who wants to speak to a detective about the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Brandon Richardson at 252-641-4272 or Detective Cpl. Kenny Womack at 252-641-4201. If they are unable to answer, leave a confidential message and they will return your call as soon as possible.