The district attorney’s office said shots were fired after a fight broke out following a group of men asking a group of women for their social media handles on Winston-Salem State’s campus.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Two men charged in one of two shootings on Winston-Salem State University’s campus during the school’s homecoming weekend appeared in Forsyth County Court Monday morning, revealing new details about a fight that led up to the fatal incident.
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Winston-Salem police arrested Ziyaire Spinks, 20, and Cequan Brower, 19, in the shooting that occurred Saturday, just after 9:45 p.m. in the 600 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Neither of the men are WSSU students. Peyton Patterson, 19, died in the shooting. He was not a WSSU student. Alyssa Ellerbee, 22, was also shot. She was taken to a hospital and treated for her injuries before being released. Police have not released any information about whether Ellerbee is a WSSU student at this time.
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On Monday, both Spinks and Brower appeared in front of a judge for the first time.
In court, the district attorney’s office said the incident began when three men, Spinks, Brower, and Patterson, approached a group of women who were behind Gleason Hall. Officials said the men asked the women to share their Instagram handles and when the women declined, Brower called one of them an expletive and pushed her.
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After that, the district attorney’s office said a brother of one of the women in the group approached to defend his sister. A fight broke, which ended in Spinks firing the shots that killed Patterson and injured Ellerbee. Officials said Patterson died at the scene from his injuries. After that, officials said Spinks and Brower ran from the scene and changed clothes.
Spinks is charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony possession of a firearm on educational property. In court, the Asheboro native was quiet and hung his head low. The district attorney also brought up Spinks’ record in other nearby counties, saying Spinks is on probation in Randolph County for reckless driving and carrying a concealed gun. Spinks also has pending cases in Guilford County for charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon and other firearm-related charges.
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If convicted, Spinks could face a maximum sentence of the death penalty. He will remain in jail without bond. He is set to appear in court next on Nov. 19.
Brower is charged with misdemeanor affray for his role in the fight that broke out, with the potential for more charges to be added. If convicted, Brower could spend a maximum of two months in jail.
Brower is also from Randolph County. In court, the judge reduced his bond to $5,000 secured and ordered him to stay away from Winston-Salem State and Ellerbee. He is set to appear in court again on Dec. 15.
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