Kinston man in custody after fatal shooting of wife, critical injuries to man and dog

A Kinston man is in custody of Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office investigators after allegedly killing his wife and severely wounding a man and a dog this morning.

Ross Jovian Smith, 35, is accused of breaking into a residence on the 100 block of Carl Ball Lane a little after 8:30 a.m. this morning and shooting his estranged wife, Latoya Marie Smith, 33, and Calvin Carlyle Kennion, 24, of Pink Hill. Latoya Smith was pronounced dead at the scene; Kennion was taken to a landing zone in Jackson Heights, where he was airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. At this time, Kennion is in critical condition.

Ross Smith also allegedly shot a dog in the residence; the dog is still alive.

After the shootings, Smith fled the scene in a black Chrysler sedan; the vehicle was identified with assistance from the Kinston Police Department. LCSO deputies located the vehicle on the 1400 block of Stroud Avenue in Kinston, but Smith was not in the vehicle.

After extensive investigation, LCSO deputies took Smith into custody without incident near the N.C. 903/N.C. 11 intersection in Pitt County at approximately 11:30 a.m. He was on foot when he was arrested.

At this time, Smith is still being interviewed by LCSO investigators and has not yet appeared before a magistrate. However, Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said Smith is going to be charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, felony breaking and entering and felony animal cruelty. Other charges may also be forthcoming.

This is still an active investigation; when Smith is taken before the magistrate, we will release a mugshot and potentially further details.