EDEN, N.C. — A woman is dead after an argument with the father of her child turned into a shooting in North Carolina, police said. Now the father, a Newport News man, is facing charges.
Officers were called to Freedom Park in Eden, North Carolina around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday for a reported shooting in progress. Patrol officers were on the scene within a minute of being dispatched, the Eden Police Department said on their Facebook page.
Gwendolyn Lavonne Riddick, 40, of Eden was found next to her car suffering from "numerous gunshot wounds." The shooting took place in the parking lot of a park field, according to investigators.
“This is a senseless and tragic loss of life; the family and work family are in our thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately, this incident occurred at Freedom Park in the parking lot, even more senseless, was to commit this act of violence in a location with numerous families and children nearby," said Eden police Chief Clint Simpson.
Riddick was taken to UNC Rockingham, where she was pronounced dead at 3 p.m.
Officers arrested John Michael Powell, 35, of Newport News as he was fleeing from the park in a car. Powell is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of discharging a weapon into occupied property. He was not given a bond, and he is set to appear in court again on August 8.
The police are asking that anyone with information concerning this incident contact Detective Tyson Scales or Lieutenant Andrew Kenyi at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to provide information and remain anonymous is asked to call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at 336-349-9683.
Police described the shooting as an isolated incident that was "the result of ongoing domestic issues between Riddick and Powell." Police said the two had a child together.
Terra Flint, assistant pastor at Trinity Wesleyan Church and director of the daycare where Riddick's youngest child attends, spoke with 13News Now Monday afternoon.
"It's heart-wrenching," Flint said, describing the tight-knit community in Eden in mourning. "The staff here at our church, I mean, we've been in prayer since yesterday afternoon. You can't find the words to fathom. You can't grasp the words to come up with. How do you comfort in this time? How do you do it? It's only the peace of God that's going to get us through this because we don't understand and we can't find the words."
Flint described Riddick as a strong, fierce, and determined woman, a loving mother, and caring medical provider.
Riddick most recently worked as an OB-GYN with UNC Women’s Health at Eden, according to a Facebook statement from UNC Health Rockingham.
"Dr. Riddick was an extraordinary woman who made a difference in the lives of everyone she touched. We will remember her and the legacy of resilience and compassion she leaves behind," the statement read in part. She started her job there in 2021.
She also worked at Riverside Health System in Newport News. They released a statement after word of Riddick's death came to light:
"We are deeply saddened by Dr. Gwendolyn Riddick’s passing. She was a resident in our OB/GYN Residency Program from 2010-2014 and was a true embodiment of the Riverside spirit. She cared for patients with great empathy and impacted the lives and health of many community members. Our heart is with Dr. Riddick’s family and loved ones."
Furthermore, several people on social media are sharing Riddick's story in hopes of raising awareness about domestic violence.
13News Now spoke with Virginia Beach-based clinical psychologist Dr. Alice Twining over the phone Monday evening. She has assisted or provided expertise in more than 40 domestic violence-related homicide cases.
Dr. Twining explained how domestic violence has the ability to affect anyone, "anywhere, anytime. It does not matter about class, race, anything."
She advised red flags to watch out for in a partner include jealousy, assertions of power, threats, and physical intimidation. "These are all things that can make the woman feel very isolated and controlled in all kinds of ways," said Dr. Twining.
Dr. Twining also said she believes in the power of telling a trusted person or calling a hotline, such Samaritan House at 757-430-2120 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
"It releases the ability of the woman to tell her story and have someone listen to her very compassionately and then say: 'Do you want to explore your options?'" Dr. Twining added.