Kinston Police Investigate Fight and Shots Fired, Make Arrest

At approximately 11:21 p.m. on June 19, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department's A-Squad responded to The Heritage, located at 127 W. Gordon Street, following reports of a fight and shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a large crowd in the parking lot and immediately began an investigation. During the course of the investigation, officers identified a suspect vehicle and located evidence consistent with shots having been fired.

A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as 22-year-old Zakaria Toutah. After the initial stop, Toutah was released while officers continued to investigate the incident.

During the traffic stop involving Toutah, 21-year-old Lanijah Wilson stopped her vehicle and attempted to interfere with officers investigation. During that interaction, officers observed signs of impairment and subsequently arrested Wilson for Driving While Impaired (DWI).

Investigators also determined that Wilson's passenger had been involved in the original altercation at The Heritage.

As the investigation progressed, officers obtained video footage showing the fight and Toutah firing a handgun multiple times in the parking lot. Based on the evidence gathered, investigators secured an arrest warrant for Toutah as well as a search warrant for his residence in the 300 block of Dupont Circle.

Officers executed the search warrant, took Toutah into custody without incident, and collected additional evidence related to the investigation.

Toutah was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was held without bond on the following charges:

Felony Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property

Discharging a Firearm Within City Limits

Littering

Injury to Real Property

Assault by Pointing a Gun

Going Armed to the Terror of the Public