WS Chronicle

During the monthly public safety news conference held last week, the Winston-Salem Police Department released a video asking for help to solve the murder of 19-year-old LaDawn Morgan.

On Thursday, March 27 2017, Morgan was visiting friends in the 900 block of Rich Ave. Just before 2 p.m. several vehicles arrived, and gunfire erupted.

According to reports, gunfire was exchanged between the group of individuals at the house and those who arrived. While standing on the porch, Morgan was shot in the mid-section. She was rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injury.

Detectives believe that Morgan was not the intended target of the shooting but was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. During a press conference last summer, Detective Michael Ognosky said, “She is an innocent victim who had her whole life ahead of her.”

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) has described the suspect in the case as a black male with dreadlocks past his shoulders. Shortly after the shooting, the suspect fled the state but it is believed that he has since returned to North Carolina.

Sgt. Gregory Dorn with the WSPD’s homicide unit said they need firsthand witnesses to come forward with information. He said, “We know there are some witnesses out there that saw this happen and we need them to come forward.”

The video released by the WSPD can viewed on the City of Winston-Salem YouTube.com channel. Anyone with information on the murder of LaDawn Morgan is encouraged to contact the WSPD at (336) 773-7000 or CrimeStoppers at (336) 727-2800.