Every morning in Snow Hill, North Carolina, 54-year-old Willie Thomas Lovett goes for a walk. However, on July 28, he was tragically shot and killed by a Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy after mistakenly entering a house he believed was his own, as reported by his family.
Willie’s son, Jakel Lovett, and his brother, Myron Rouse, informed The North Carolina Beat that Willie suffers from epilepsy, which they think contributed to his confusion about the house he entered. They provided photos of the residence on Judge Hardy Street that he entered.
The two houses are only 0.2 miles apart, which is a five-minute walk from the home on Judge Hardy Street to Willie’s home on Hwy 123 N. in Snow Hill.
The family explained that Willie typically takes a different route home, but due to road construction, he had to take a different route, during which he experienced a seizure. Jakel mentioned that the house was identical to his father’s, and on that day, he believes his dad walked into it after sensing a seizure coming on.
“I’m guessing he went in, and the lady of the house went out the back door and called the police, Jakel said. “When the police arrived, I guess things got physical, and that’s when my dad got shot.”
Son says dad was shot three times
Jakel told The North Carolina Beat that his father, Willie, was shot twice in the back and once in the front. He stated that the Greene County Sheriff’s Office has not provided them with bodycam footage of the incident involving their deputy, and they are requesting its release.
“We haven’t seen the footage, but this is the story that we have,” he said.
Police allege Willie broke inside the residence and was stealing
When Willie entered the residence, a person inside ran out, claiming that Willie was broke into their home and was still inside, according to Spectrum News. The outlet reported that when deputies arrived, they found Willie “stealing property” and that he allegedly fought with them, leading to the fatal shooting.
Police did not clarify whether Willie was armed.
Another media outlet, WNCT-9, reported that police were “unsure of Lovett’s motive for entering the residence.”
Family says officer who allegedly fatally shot Willie had an argument with him in court a week prior
Jakel mentioned that on July 26, Willie had a court hearing related to an incident stemming from an epilepsy episode that led to an altercation with an officer.
“They dismissed the case that day, Jakel said. “They didn’t know he was going in an episode when everything happened, but they dismissed it.”
He expressed uncertainty about why the deputy, whom they believe shot their father, Nick Brinson, confronted Willie during the court proceedings, but Jakel suspects the deputy may have had a grudge against his father from previous encounters when he had to arrest him for various reasons.
“From my understanding, he [Willie] had a son who was supposed to be in court, and something happened with his son’s car. But when they called his son’s name, Willie spoke up for him, and Nick said something to him. They had words behind that,” Willie’s brother, Myron Rouse, said.
Symptoms of Willie’s epilepsy episodes
Jakel explained that his father shows signs of an impending seizure by sweating and walking in circles, trying to find a place to sit. Because the house Willie entered was identical to his own, Jakel and Myron believe that when he felt a seizure coming on, he mistakenly thought he was entering his home.
“We want the body-camera footage released,” Jakel and Myron said.
Jakel said he will miss his father. He mentioned that his dad loved the outdoors, enjoyed playing pool, and could have been one of the best basketball players.
“He could’ve been one of the best basketball players and he could’ve made it, Jakel said. “He loved playing pool, and working on his yard as well as keeping his neighbors yard cut.
Wait what happened to assessing the situation and talking to him! I thought they found him sitting in a chair! They could have easily said Sir do you realize your sitting in someone else’s home, then take him home! Protect and serve! Not just go by one person’s story and kill! Na, that’s a bunch of B.S.! Praying for tour family and all who are involved! It seems like officers these days need retraining every 3 months for certain situations like this and others like it!
I lost my sisters and bestfriend the previous month on June 8th due to a car accident. July 28th on my birthday I lose my loving granddaddy. It was always get surprised when i see my papa show up to tell me happy birthday. This was the biggest surprise ever. A little before the 28th my papa said my sisters came to visit him and that he’ll see them soon. Just never imagined that soon we posed to be coming together and helping each other overcome these obstacles and the ones they call the community protectors really be itches for something to happen instead of praying for better. #LLMYPAPA 🩵 #LLMYSISTERS&BEST 🫶🏾