N.C. victim's autopsy finds signs of gang-style slaying

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.

A man found shot to death in July in Weeksville may have been the victim of a gang-style execution, based on autopsy evidence.

The body of Adrian Donte Johnson, 22, was found in a vacant lot on Esclip Road on July 27 shot nine times, according to the autopsy report. Johnson was shot seven times in the face and head, once in the back and once in the palm of the hand. At least two wounds were fired with the gun barrel in contact with the skin, according to the autopsy. The type of weapon has not been released.

"We feel like he was shot for a purpose and taken to that place for a purpose," said Pasquotank County Sheriff Randy Cartwright. "Somebody was trying to send a message. This was not a normal homicide."

No arrests have been made and the investigation continues. Cartwright declined to give more details of the crime. He stopped short of calling it a gang-related execution but acknowledged that in 27 years of law enforcement, he has never seen shooting like this one.

Gang-style executions are not uncommon in larger cities, said Detective Elliott Hoskins, vice president of the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association. Typically, the victim is captured, taken to a remote location and shot at close range, Hoskins said. Often the victim's hands are tied.

Johnson's gunshot wound to the hand indicates he was trying to shield himself from the gun, Cartwright said.

An execution victim is usually from a rival gang and has stolen money or drugs or his killers want to keep him quiet, Hoskins said.

"The gang has a problem with that individual, and they want to send a message: 'This will happen to you if you steal my drugs,' " Hoskins said.

Johnson is one of three homicide victims in Elizabeth City this year and the only one involving a gun.

Johnson carried a short criminal record, including minor drug offenses and a 2009 charge of carrying a weapon of mass destruction. Court records show police found a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun in his possession. Johnson was not known to have gang ties, Cartwright said.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com