Priscilla Kee, a woman in her early 50s, was fatally shot in the early hours of Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The incident occurred just after midnight in the parking lot of the Kirkwood Adams Civic Center, located at the intersection of 11th Street and Hamilton Street. Officers from the Roanoke Rapids Police Department responded swiftly to reports of a shooting and arrived to find Kee suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
As officers approached the scene, they spotted a man fleeing the area. He was later identified as 56-year-old Willie Holmes. Officers pursued Holmes on foot and apprehended him a few blocks away at the intersection of 11th Street and Jackson Street. At the time of his arrest, Holmes was reportedly in possession of a firearm. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Kee was transported by emergency responders to ECU Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries. According to police, the shooting stemmed from an argument between Kee and Holmes that escalated in the parking lot. The nature of their relationship has not been publicly disclosed, but authorities believe the confrontation was personal and not a random act of violence.
Holmes has since been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently being held at the Halifax County Detention Center without bond. The Roanoke Rapids Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including gathering witness statements and reviewing surveillance footage from the area.
The Kirkwood Adams Civic Center, typically a venue for community events and gatherings, became the scene of a tragic loss that has left residents shaken. Community members have expressed sorrow and concern over the violence, especially given the location’s proximity to residential neighborhoods and its role as a public gathering space.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Priscilla Kee. Friends and family have begun sharing tributes, remembering her as a kind and resilient woman. Local leaders are calling for increased efforts to address domestic violence and gun safety, emphasizing the need for proactive intervention to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
