KPD Arrests Suspect in Sanderson Farms Assault Investigation
On February 17, 2026, the Kinston Police Department received a report from UNC Lenoir Health Care regarding a victim being treated for serious injuries stemming from an assault that occurred at Sanderson Farms. The investigation revealed the victim’s injuries were consistent with being struck in the face with a pistol.
The KPD Investigations Division conducted a follow-up investigation and identified 32-year-old Tyler Simpson as the suspect. Detectives subsequently obtained arrest warrants charging Simpson with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
On February 27, 2026, detectives located Simpson at Sanderson Farms and took him into custody without incident. Detectives also obtained and executed a search warrant on Simpson’s vehicle. During the search, investigators recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the assault.
Simpson was additionally charged with a second count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
At the time of this release, Simpson remains in custody at the Lenoir County Jail.
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