The following was provided for your information from the Winston-Salem Police Department and is public information.

On April 17, 2017, WSPD Officers responded to 2810 Reid Street after receiving information that someone had sustained a gunshot wound, possibly self-inflicted, at this location.

Officers located 18 year old Diante James Blackburn unresponsive, inside the living room of the residence, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his head. He was transported by ambulance to North Carolina Baptist Medical Center where he succumbed to the injury.

A small caliber revolver was located within the same room Mr. Blackburn was found. Multiple witnesses were in the room at the time of this incident. No one else was injured during this incident.

Criminal Investigation Division detectives responded to the scene and assumed this investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Blackburn’s injury is the result of playing Russian Roulette. Detectives do not suspect foul play however; this investigation is ongoing.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is asking anyone with information concerning this investigation to call (336) 773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800.

The following was provided by the Winston-Salem Police Department

On April 20, 2017 officers were called to the scene of a bicycle crash in the 600 block of Ransom Road (near the Loch Road entrance to the Town and Country neighborhood, just off of Polo Road.)

A cyclist riding a black bicycle (mountain bicycle/commuter type) was found lying in the road, unconscious.

The cyclist was taken to an area medical facility for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. At this time it is unclear if a vehicle actually struck the cyclist.

The Winston-Salem Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit responded and assumed this investigation and will conduct any necessary follow up.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is soliciting information from anybody that may have been in the area, or may have knowledge of any pertinent details that would assist in the investigation.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7832 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

On March 9th, 2017, Officers with the Winston-Salem Police Department responded to 2929 East Sprague Street on a reported shooting. Officers located Anthony Earl Johnson at the residence with a gunshot wound to his leg. Johnson told officers that he was in his residence when four black males entered armed with handguns attempting to rob him. Johnson advised he struggled with one of the males for control of a handgun and was shot. Johnson said he fled the residence leaving the four males inside.

Winston-Salem Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, Patrol, Special Operations Division and Special Weapons and Tactics personnel responded to the scene establishing a protective perimeter around the residence. Police efforts included blocking/closing surrounding streets for approximately 30 minutes while officers searched for the armed males. The males were not located.
Anthony Johnson was transported to North Carolina Baptist Medical Center where he was treated and later released for a non-life threatening injury.

Investigators of this incident established that Anthony Earl Johnson fabricated the report of being shot during an attempted armed robbery to attempt to conceal that he had shot himself accidentally while alone at his residence. Anthony Johnson was arrested on March 27th.

Investigators ask that anyone with information regarding this incident contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or CrimeStoppers at 336-727-2800.