Lamont Pridgen Jr was 18 when he was shot in a Whiteville, North Carolina parking lot on the evening of February 10, 2021. He was struck twice in the back while in the Food Lion parking area in North Whiteville; witnesses reported seeing a white car and a dark car near each other around 5:40 p.m., then the sound of multiple gunshots. Customers at the store took cover as the two vehicles sped away. Lamont was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital and later transferred to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he died on February 21, 2021.

Investigators found that Lamont had been in a car targeted by at least one gunman in another vehicle. He was interviewed by detectives but reportedly did not know who shot him or why. The Whiteville Police Department handled the inquiry after the case was turned over to the city; as of the latest report no arrests have been announced and no suspects identified. His family, including sister Madeana Pridgen, and the East Bladen High School community have mourned his loss.

If anyone has information about the shooting or the vehicles seen in that parking lot, please share what you know with the Whiteville Police Department.