PLYMOUTH, N.C. (WITN/Gray News) – Family members say a man was shot and killed in a car while holding his 8-month-old baby.
Devonelle Brimage, 36, was found dead in the vehicle parked at his home in Plymouth, North Carolina.
Another passenger, 38-year-old Avione Webb, was discovered shot in the rear seat.
Plymouth police say the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. on Latham Avenue. An 8-month-old baby was also found in the car.
Webb and the infant were taken to the hospital. Police say the child was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
Chief Louis Banks says Brimage was the father of the 8-month-old. He says the mother said the man was holding the baby when he was shot and killed.
A GoFundMe has been created to help cover funeral expenses. It says Brimage was the father of 11 children and is survived by 11 siblings.
“In his final moments, he showed incredible courage and love—using his own body to shield and protect his 8-month-old baby,“ the fundraiser says. ”That act alone speaks volumes about the kind of man he was: selfless, protective, and full of love for his family.”
So far, no information has been released about a suspect or a possible motive in the deadly shooting.
Plymouth police say they’re being assisted by the SBI and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact police at 252-793-4680.