On Aug. 17 at approximately 8:34 a.m., officers with the Goldsboro Police Department responded to the 900 block of Hugh Street regarding a ShotSpotter alert. Shortly after responding, officers located the victim, Aaron D. Smith II, 23, near a parked vehicle in the public vehicle area. The victim was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded and transported the victim to UNC Health Wayne. The victim was subsequently transported to ECU Health Medical Center for further treatment. The victim was in critical condition.

During the course of the investigation, Zacchaeus Cobb, 53, was developed as a suspect, and warrants were secured. On Aug. 20, at approximately 11 p.m., Cobb turned himself in at the Wayne County Magistrates Office without incident. Cobb was charged with one count each of the following: Attempted First Degree Murder, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, Discharge Firearm into Occupied Property, and Possession of Firearm by a Felon. Cobb received a $502,000 secured bond and will have his first court appearance on Aug. 21 at 9-9:30 a.m.