The Greensboro Police Department is making the removal of illegal guns from the city’s streets a top priority, and a recent investigation shows how quickly one gun-related crime can lead police to a much larger collection of weapons.
GPD’s Violent Crime Reduction Team recently seized 13 firearms during an investigation that began with a report of someone shooting into unoccupied property.
That investigation also resulted in charges against four adults and a 15-year-old juvenile in connection with the shooting and an armed robbery that police said occurred earlier that day.
The seizure comes amid a string of recent shootings and homicide investigations in Greensboro that have kept illegal firearms at the forefront of GPD’s crime-fighting efforts.
On Wednesday, July 1, detectives with the Violent Crime Reduction Team – better known as VCRT – responded to the 700 block of Greenhaven Drive to help patrol officers investigate a report of someone shooting into unoccupied property.
Detectives identified a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting and located it at a residence in the 3100 block of Kilkenny Avenue.
Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and seized six firearms while executing the warrant.
Jacob Richmond and Ki’Shaun Hutchinson were each charged with injury to personal property, discharging a firearm within the city limits, going armed to the terror of the public and misdemeanor conspiracy.
Shamontez Vinson was charged with misdemeanor conspiracy.
As detectives continued investigating the case, they determined that the shooting stemmed from a robbery earlier in the day in which a firearm was stolen from Vinson.
Police obtained surveillance video of the robbery and identified one of the suspects.
On Thursday, July 2, detectives located two suspects in an apartment in the 700 block of Greenhaven Drive. Police executed another search warrant, took the suspects into custody and seized seven more firearms.
Jamonte Alston was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
A 15-year-old juvenile was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and possession of a handgun by a minor.
The 13-gun seizure is the latest example of the work being done by the Violent Crime Reduction Team, which GPD created in June 2023 to combat firearm-related violence in Greensboro.
The 32-officer unit was assembled to investigate shootings, illegal firearms and other violent crimes. Its work includes identifying people illegally possessing guns, investigating shots-fired incidents, executing search warrants, locating violent offenders and assisting homicide and other GPD detectives.
VCRT shouldn’t be confused with GPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, known as VCAT. The apprehension team, which dates back to 2011, primarily locates and arrests people wanted for serious crimes. The reduction team concentrates more heavily on investigating firearm crimes, recovering illegal guns and disrupting the activity that leads to shootings.
The two teams frequently work together: In April, members of VCRT and VCAT located and arrested a suspect wanted in a Greensboro homicide.
The teams have also worked with GPD’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, which uses firearm evidence and information from shell casings to connect guns, suspects and shooting incidents.
GPD has reported that gun-related crime declined after VCRT was created. However, recent cases demonstrate why firearms remain a major concern for area residents.
On June 11, officers responded to the 3500 block of Lynhaven Drive and found two people with gunshot wounds. One of them, 16-year-old Malachi Holmes, died at the scene. The other person was taken to a hospital.
Police said Holmes’ death was Greensboro’s 13th homicide of 2026.
Less than a week later, GPD announced arrests in another homicide investigation involving an alleged attempted armed robbery.
A 15-year-old was charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony conspiracy. Martavion Logan, 20, was charged with the same offenses.
Deneah Howze, 19, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and Latayshia Stewart, 36, was charged with accessory after the fact.
In another recent homicide case, GPD charged Mark Donovan Ray Graham, 31, with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle in connection with the death of Douglas Keith Petty.
Samantha Jean-Marie Panico, 40, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Crime totals can fluctuate considerably over short periods, and GPD’s weekly reports distinguish among homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults and other major offenses. Still, the repeated appearance of firearms in recent homicide, robbery and shots-fired investigations helps explain why the department continues to make illegal guns a priority.
Gun violence has also been a recurring issue across Guilford County, with law enforcement agencies investigating numerous fatal shootings in recent years.
One way GPD is attempting to find those guns before they’re used in another crime is through Gun Stoppers.
Gun Stoppers was launched in February 2017 as a partnership between GPD and Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers. The program encourages residents to report firearms possessed by convicted felons, stolen guns, guns used in crimes and other illegally possessed weapons.
A person who anonymously provides information that leads to an arrest or the confiscation of an illegal firearm is eligible for a minimum cash reward of $250 per gun.
Gun Stoppers tips can result in guns being removed without the caller having to testify in court or give police his or her name. Crime Stoppers says calls aren’t recorded or traced, and tips submitted through its website or mobile app are also anonymous.
The program may also pay rewards when information leads the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, rather than GPD, to an illegal gun.
GPD is encouraging anyone with information about illegal firearms to call Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers anonymously at 336-373-1000.
All people charged with crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
