Antonio Cooley, 49, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was shot in the early hours of Monday, January 5, 2026, after police responded to reports of gunfire on the 300 block of Sunset Avenue. First responders performed life‑saving measures at the scene and Cooley was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Officers initially had scarce information and appealed to the public for tips about anyone who might have seen or heard something on Sunset Avenue that night. Later the same day detectives identified a suspect and charged 64‑year‑old John Shellington with first‑degree murder in connection with Cooley’s death. Authorities did not release details about what sparked the confrontation, whether the men knew each other, or what evidence led to the charge, and the investigation was described as ongoing.

Anyone who saw activity on Sunset Avenue that night or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.