Wayne County, N.C. — One suspect has been arrested and another remains at large following a February shooting that left a woman seriously injured in Wayne County.
On February 10, 2026, deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at a residence located at 165 Raynor Mill Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the home had been struck multiple times by gunfire. A female victim was found inside suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency responders transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries.
Major Crimes detectives responded to the scene and launched an investigation. Through interviews and evidence collected at the scene, investigators identified two suspects: Robert Edward Lee Ward and Emilee Kate Howell.
Emilee Kate Howell, 29, of Margaret Drive in Goldsboro, has been taken into custody. She is currently being held under a $500,000 secured bond. Howell faces sixteen counts of Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property and one count of Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
The second suspect, Robert Edward Lee Ward, 33, of Carrolls Farm Lane in Warsaw, has not been located and remains wanted by authorities.
Ward is wanted on the following charges:
- Sixteen counts of Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property
- One count of Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property Causing Serious Bodily Injury
- One count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ward. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 919-731-1480, contact Goldsboro-Wayne Crime Stoppers, or submit a tip using the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.
