Rocky Mount, NC – In a devastating incident early Sunday morning, July 13, 2025, two young individuals, La’ren Dickens, 20, and Ryo Steele, 19, were found dead following a shooting at Martin Luther King Park in the 800 block of Virginia Street. Rocky Mount Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired just before 3 a.m. and discovered both victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of first responders, both Dickens and Steele were pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting was one of three separate incidents in Rocky Mount between Saturday night and Sunday morning, which left a total of four victims of gun violence, according to the Rocky Mount Police Department. Authorities have stated that the shootings do not appear to be related. No suspects have been reported in custody in connection with the double homicide at Martin Luther King Park, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Rocky Mount Police Department is urging anyone with information about this incident or any of the other shootings to contact them at 252-977-1111 or Twin County Crime Stoppers at 252-977-1111. The community mourns the loss of these young lives as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
