Autopsy report: Shooting a murder
By Lee Williams
Published in News on June 24, 2007 2:00 AM
The State Medical Examiner's Office has ruled a 23-year-old man fatally shot at Courtyard Apartments in April did not die of a self-inflicted wound.
Officials ruled the case of Raheim Kornegay, who was fatally shot April 22, a homicide.
Goldsboro police responded to 602 Courtyard Circle and found Kornegay of Lincoln Drive suffering from a single gunshot wound to the lower chest and upper abdomen, according to the autopsy report. His girlfriend, Sharon Sheppard, 28, was present at the time of the shooting.
Ms. Sheppard was fatally shot four days later outside McIntyre Funeral Home, where she had come to attend Kornegay's funeral.
While a motive has not been released by police, some who knew the couple called the incident an act of retaliation. They said some family members believed Ms. Sheppard played a role in Kornegay's death.
Kelvin Buffalo Jr., 18, of Goldsboro, has since been charged with Ms. Sheppard's murder.
Kornegay and Ms. Sheppard shared an infant son, Rahkeim Kornegay. They also had children from previous relationships.
Kornegay's murder occurred just two days after child protective services workers removed Ms. Sheppard's four children from the home. The action was taken after officials received a report that guns were inside the apartment.
Goldsboro police originally labeled the Kornegay case a death investigation. According to law enforcement officials not connected to the case, a death investigation implies a person died of natural causes or that no foul play was involved.
According to the autopsy report, Kornegay was originally reported to have shot himself. The fatal bullet pierced Kornegay's lower chest, upper abdomen, liver, right kidney, lung and then exited the body through his back. No gun residue was noted on the report.
"Examination of the hands reveals no visible injuries or residues," the June 12 report stated.
Kornegay was believed to have been fatally shot with a medium-caliber handgun. However, the weapon used in the shooting was not found by police.
At the time of his death, Kornegay was identified as a police informant, according to the autopsy report.
Ms. Sheppard was listed as a suspect in Kornegay's case. However, it remains unclear if the case is still being pursued by police.
Goldsboro police Sgt. Chad Calloway was unavailable for comment.