Joyonna Pearsall was full of life with high hopes of a bright future when she was gunned down at a party on Leslie Street the night of April 12 in Goldsboro.
Pearsall, who was 15, was one of six people who were shot at the party around 6:30 p.m. at 112 N. Leslie St., according to Goldsboro police. The other five all received treatment at UNC Health Wayne and were released to recover at home several days after the shooting, said LaToya Henry, Goldsboro public information officer.
The identities of the victims and details surrounding what led to the shooting have not been confirmed by police as the investigation is ongoing.
Maria Bell Jackson, Pearsall’s aunt, told the Goldsboro News Argus that her niece was a happy girl who was an active participant in her church, Gospel Light Temple, as well as many other groups in the community.
Pearsall attended Calvary Love Christian School. She was homeschooled and taught by Jackson.
“She was just a happy girl,” Jackson said. “She was a part of the Drummers World (Drumline) dancers. She was active in the church, (and) she was active in the choir.”
Jackson said Pearsall had a bright future and planned to one day attend beauty school and become a hair stylist.
“She was phenomenal (at hairstyling),” Jackson said. “She specialized in braids. She was going to hair school. That was her dream, to be a hairstylist.”
Mark Colebrook, a former Brodgen Middle School teacher from 2018 to 2020 when Pearsall attended, said that he never taught her but said she was easy to recognize because of her beautiful smile and infectious laughter.
“For the two years I was there she was on the cheerleading team and just a light, no negativity around her at all,” Colebrook said. “(She was) always positive, a beautiful smile, an infectious laughter, just a great kid.”
The shooting that led to her death and the injury of five other teenagers happened during a spring break party at the house on Leslie Street.
Goldsboro police officers were notified of gunshots in the area at about 6:30 p.m. on April 12 through four ShotSpotter alerts.
A total of 43 bullets were fired during the shooting, according to the Goldsboro Police Department report.
Upon arriving at the house, Goldsboro police reportedly observed a large crowd of more than 100 people and were able to locate four victims from between the ages of 15 to 19, including Pearsall who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency Medical Services personnel took three of the teenagers to UNC Health Wayne for treatment.
Two other teenagers were injured but left the scene before police arrived. They both went to the hospital in private vehicles, Henry said.
Janet Ott, who lives next door to the house where the shooting took place, said that when she first heard the gunshots she thought some of the party goers were lighting fireworks.
“I could see that there was a pretty large crowd,” Ott said. “There was a long string of (shots), and I thought ... that sounds like a string of firecrackers, right?
“You could hear people yelling and stuff and a whole bunch of people came running out.”
Ella King, who lives across the street from the house at 112 N. Leslie St., said she was in the kitchen cooking and reading her Bible when she first heard the gunshots.
“I was at home the whole time but I was in the kitchen cooking ... and I was reading my Bible and I heard all the gunshots,” King said. “My momma hollered out and said, ‘somebody’s shooting.’ ”
King said that because she was across the street from where the shooting took place, she was concerned that a stray bullet may enter her home.
“My only concern is, you never know where shots are going,” King said.
On April 13, a day after Pearsall’s death, a group of people gathered around Piggly Wiggly, on Lionel Street, and walked together in solitude.
The group passed by the house where the shooting took place and stopped across the street where several city leaders, including Mayor David Ham, addressed the crowd.
“We lost one of our fine young members of this community, and we also had five members of our community injured in this unfortunate situation that happened yesterday,” Ham said.
“(It’s important) that we together as a community try to do something (and) subtract or shut down this unlawful use of weapons and this unlawful use by underage people.”
Jackson said she wants to see an end to gun violence in the city.
“We’re here again. It’s not (anything) new,” Jackson said. “What makes you outraged is that the gun violence is not being controlled.
“We’ve got to do something to protect our children that just want to walk to the store or just go and have a good time during a spring break, swim a little and have fun with (their) friends.”
Ham also released a statement after the vigil.
“(Police) Chief Mike West and his officers are working hard to investigate and apprehend those responsible,” Ham said. “They were and are being assisted by Sheriff (Larry) Pierce and members of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department in this effort. While my heart is with the victims’ families, our thoughts and prayers alone will not eradicate the problem of unlawful ownership and use of firearms.
“So many dedicated community leaders are discussing solutions, but it will take our entire community to address this issue. We need parents, nonprofits, churches, school leaders, community leaders, etc., working with us to develop creative solutions to inspire positive change in our neighborhoods. I don’t have the answers today, but I am looking to meet with some action-minded people who are ready to come to the table with some ideas. It is my hope that we can work together to bring about this change.”
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