KINSTON, N.C. – April 27, 2026 – In the early hours of a Monday morning, gunfire shattered the silence of the Carver Courts public housing community in Kinston, leaving a 36-year-old man dead and a neighborhood gripped by grief and fear. Charles Wade Jr. , known affectionately to friends and family as “Chucc Comedian” for his infectious humor and ability to lighten any room, was fatally shot just before 1 a.m. inside the 12 building of the complex.

The Kinston Police Department (KPD) responded to the scene at approximately 12:57 a.m. on April 27, 2026 , after receiving a 911 call reporting a gunshot wound. Officers arrived within minutes and found Wade suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts administered at the scene, Charles Wade Jr. succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead by emergency personnel shortly thereafter.

As of Monday evening, no suspect has been identified, no arrest has been made, and no motive has been released. The investigation remains active and ongoing, according to KPD detectives, who are urging anyone with information to come forward. The homicide marks another tragic chapter of gun violence in a city that has struggled for years to break cycles of bloodshed in its most vulnerable neighborhoods.

The Crime Scene: Carver Courts, 12 Building

Carver Courts is a residential community located in eastern Kinston, primarily consisting of low-rise apartment buildings. The 12 building — a two-story structure with multiple units — became the focal point of a large police presence in the pre-dawn hours. Crime scene tape cordoned off the entrance, and forensic investigators could be seen photographing the area, searching for shell casings, and canvassing for surveillance footage from nearby residences.

Neighbors reported hearing what they described as “one or two loud pops” followed by shouting. Some initially dismissed the sounds as fireworks or a car backfiring — a common reaction in communities where gunfire has become distressingly familiar. Others, however, knew immediately what they had heard.

“I heard a loud bang, then a scream, and then nothing,” said a resident of the 12 building who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation. “Then I saw police lights. It’s scary because you never know if it’s random or if someone is targeting people. My kids live here. I don’t feel safe.”

The Kinston Police Department has not disclosed whether the shooting occurred inside a specific apartment or in a common area of the building. They have also not said whether Wade was the intended target or whether the shooting stemmed from an argument, a robbery attempt, or some other circumstance.

The Victim: Charles Wade Jr., ‘Chucc Comedian’

To those who knew him, Charles Wade Jr. was far more than a name in a police blotter. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He was known throughout Kinston as “Chucc Comedian” — a nickname that reflected his personality: funny, warm, and always ready with a joke or a kind word.

“Chucc could make you laugh even on your worst day,” said a longtime friend who grew up with Wade. “He had that gift. He’d walk into a room full of sad people and within five minutes, everybody was smiling. That was just who he was.”

Friends describe Wade as someone who used humor as both a shield and a bridge — a way to navigate life’s hardships while connecting with others. He was not a professional comedian in the club sense, but in his neighborhood, he was legendary for his impressions, his storytelling, and his ability to find the funny side of almost anything.

“He should have had his own Netflix special,” another friend said, laughing through tears. “But that wasn’t his path. He was happy just making his people laugh. He didn’t need a stage.”

Wade was also a devoted family man. Relatives say he was especially close to his mother and his siblings, and that he took pride in being a positive presence in the lives of his younger cousins and nieces. “He was the fun uncle,” a family member said. “The one who would play basketball with the kids, who would act silly just to see them smile. They’re going to miss him so much.”

At 36 years old, Wade was in the prime of his life. His sudden, violent death has left a void that cannot be filled.

The Immediate Aftermath: Life-Saving Efforts and Pronouncement

When Kinston police officers arrived at the 12 building of Carver Courts at approximately 12:57 a.m., they found Charles Wade Jr. on the ground, unresponsive, with at least one visible gunshot wound. The officers immediately began life-saving efforts — applying pressure to the wound, checking for a pulse, and attempting to stabilize him until emergency medical services could arrive.

Kinston EMS arrived shortly thereafter and took over resuscitation efforts, but the injuries were too severe. Wade was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lenoir County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death, and an autopsy will be conducted.

The Kinston Police Department has not released the specific location of the gunshot wound(s) — whether to the head, chest, or elsewhere — citing the ongoing investigation. However, the fact that officers and paramedics were unable to save him suggests the wound was critical.

Homicide Investigation: No Suspect, No Motive

As of Monday evening, the Kinston Police Department has released very few details about the investigation. What is known:

· Time of incident: Approximately 12:57 a.m. on April 27, 2026
· Location: 12 building, Carver Courts, Kinston, NC
· Victim: Charles Wade Jr., 36
· Status: Homicide investigation
· Suspect: None identified
· Motive: Unknown
· Arrests: None

Detectives are actively working the case, which includes interviewing potential witnesses, reviewing any available surveillance footage from the Carver Courts area, and following up on tips. The department has not said whether a weapon has been recovered or whether they believe the shooter acted alone.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” a KPD spokesperson said in a brief statement. “We are dedicated to finding justice for Mr. Wade and his family. We ask anyone with information — no matter how small — to contact us immediately.”

The lack of public information has left the community on edge. In the Carver Courts area, residents are fearful that the shooter remains at large. Some have expressed frustration that police have not provided safety tips or increased patrols, though KPD has not commented on any changes to patrol strategies.

Carver Courts: A Community No Stranger to Violence

Carver Courts has long been one of Kinston’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and it has also been the site of numerous violent incidents over the years. The public housing complex, managed by the Kinston Housing Authority, has been the focus of community policing efforts, youth programs, and violence interruption initiatives — but the cycle of gun violence has proven stubbornly difficult to break.

Residents say that while many families in Carver Courts are hardworking and law-abiding, a small number of individuals involved in drug activity or interpersonal disputes have brought repeated danger to the area. “It’s not everyone,” one resident said. “But the ones who are doing wrong make life scary for the rest of us. We just want to live in peace.”

The shooting death of Charles Wade Jr. is the latest in a series of homicides in Kinston, a city of approximately 20,000 residents that has historically had a higher per-capita violent crime rate than the state average. Community leaders have called for more investment in jobs, mental health services, and youth programming as long-term solutions, while also urging witnesses to break the “no snitching” code that often allows killers to evade justice.

A Call for Witnesses: ‘See Something, Say Something’

The Kinston Police Department is urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to the shooting to come forward. Even seemingly minor details — a description of a person leaving the area, a vehicle seen speeding away, or a conversation overheard earlier in the evening — could prove crucial.

“Someone out there knows what happened,” KPD said in a social media post. “We need that person to do the right thing and speak up. Not just for Mr. Wade’s family, but for the safety of this community.”

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest. Tips can also be submitted via the KPD website or by calling the department directly at (252) 939-3160.

The Grieving Process: Family, Friends, and a Community in Mourning

For the family of Charles Wade Jr. , the shock is still raw. Relatives gathered at the scene in the early morning hours, some collapsing in tears as they received confirmation that Wade had not survived. By daylight, a small memorial of candles, balloons, and handwritten notes had appeared near the entrance of the 12 building.

“He didn’t deserve this,” said Wade’s mother, speaking through a family spokesperson. “My son was a good person. He made people laugh. He loved his family. And now he’s gone, for no reason. I want justice. I want whoever did this to be held accountable.”

Family members have not yet announced funeral arrangements. A GoFundMe or other fundraiser may be established to assist with burial costs, though none had been confirmed as of Monday evening. Those wishing to help are encouraged to reach out to close family friends or local churches in Kinston.

The Nickname ‘Chucc Comedian’: A Legacy of Laughter

In the days following Wade’s death, social media has been flooded with tributes using the hashtag #ChuccComedian. Videos have surfaced of Wade telling jokes at cookouts, roasting friends in good humor, and making children giggle with silly faces. The nickname, friends say, was not just a label — it was an identity.

“He was the comedian of our group,” said one friend. “No matter how serious things got, Chucc would find a way to make us laugh. Even when times were hard, he kept our spirits up. That’s what I’ll remember most — not how he died, but how he made us feel alive.”

Another friend recalled a time when Wade spent hours helping him move apartments, cracking jokes the entire time, turning a miserable task into a memorable day. “That was Chucc. He showed up. He worked hard. And he made you forget you were even tired because you were laughing so hard.”

Broader Context: Gun Violence in Eastern North Carolina

The shooting death of Charles Wade Jr. is not an isolated event. Eastern North Carolina, including Lenoir County and neighboring Pitt, Greene, and Wayne counties, has seen a persistent problem with gun violence, particularly in underserved communities. Factors often cited include poverty, lack of economic opportunity, easy access to firearms, and cycles of retaliation.

Community leaders have called for a multi-pronged approach: more investment in after-school programs, job training, mental health services, and conflict resolution initiatives. At the same time, they stress the importance of police-community trust — a relationship that has been strained in Kinston at times.

“We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” said a local activist who asked not to be named. “But we also cannot ignore the fact that someone shot and killed Charles Wade. That person needs to be off the streets. And we need witnesses to step up.”

Conclusion: A Life Taken, A Legacy That Endures

Charles Wade Jr. , known and loved as “Chucc Comedian,” was 36 years old. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He made people laugh in a world that too often feels short on joy. He was killed in the early hours of April 27, 2026, in the Carver Courts area of Kinston, North Carolina — a victim of senseless gun violence.

His family wants justice. His friends want answers. His community wants peace. But above all, everyone who knew him wants the world to remember that he was more than the way he died. He was a man who brought light, laughter, and love into the lives of those around him.

Rest in peace, Charles Wade Jr. — Chucc Comedian. You will be deeply missed, and you will never be forgotten.

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How to Help

The family of Charles Wade Jr. has not yet announced a fundraiser. For updates, follow local Kinston news outlets or contact the Kinston Police Department Victim Services unit at (252) 939-3160.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444. Tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.