A 19-year-old charged in a deadly stabbing outside Jacksonville made his first court appearance Monday, where a judge ordered he be held without bond.
Shakim Bullock is charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in connection to a stabbing that happened April 3 on Maynard Boulevard, off Gum Branch Road.
Onslow County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they responded to a home and found 47-year-old Barry Cooper with stab wounds. Cooper was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
During Monday’s hearing, prosecutors said the charge is listed as an open count of murder following the victim’s death.
Family members of Cooper were in the courtroom.
“We just want answers, we want justice, that’s it,” a family member said. “I want to know why he wanted to hurt my brother like that and I want justice.”
The family said Cooper leaves behind a sister who is battling stage 4 cancer and a mother with Alzheimer’s.
“My brother was really important to us,” a family member said. “This loss is very devastating for me and my family.”
Bullock is scheduled to return to court on April 20.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Onslow County Crime Stoppers: You can call 910-938-3273 or text TIP4CSJAX and your tip to 274637.