Wilmington, NC Police Department

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

Last week, WPD Crisis and Hostage Negotiator Team Commander Sgt. Ronald Evans and Hostage Negotiator Detective Chris Kingston attended the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Hostage Negotiation National Conference in Arizona.

Both officers serve on a specialized team trained to appropriately handle situations that involve individuals experiencing a crisis, including barricaded subjects, suicidal individuals, and hostage situations. The conference provided an opportunity to participate in valuable training, share knowledge, and collaborate with fellow negotiators. Officers from across the country and around the world were in attendance, including law enforcement members from Ukraine, South Korea, and The Netherlands.

WPD is proud of these officers’ commitment to continued training and professional development to better serve and protect our community.

10/31/2026

Have a great and SAFE Halloween Wilmington! 🎃

10/31/2026

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10/30/2026

Parents — keep your trick-or-treaters SAFE while they're out gathering goodies this Halloween. 🎃🍬

Tips for drivers: NHTSA.gov/Halloween-Safety-Tips

10/30/2026

🚲 Flashback Friday!

Here’s a throwback reminder about an important step every bicycle owner should take: register your bicycle and keep its serial number on file!

Having your bike’s serial number on record can make a big difference if it’s ever stolen and needs to be identified or recovered.

Do you still have your bicycle’s serial number handy? If not, now’s a great time to find it and make sure it’s documented!

A little prevention today can make a big difference tomorrow. 🔒🚴

Read more here: https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Connect-With-Us/Department-Directory/Parks-Recreation/Walking-Biking

10/30/2026

🐾 Training Together. Serving Together.

Our WPD K9 team recently joined K9 units from across North Carolina’s coast for a multi-agency training event focused on strengthening skills, building teamwork, and sharing knowledge.

Training alongside other agencies provides valuable opportunities for our handlers and their four-legged partners to learn from one another, sharpen their abilities, and prepare for the challenges they face in the field.

Thank you to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and Eric Stanbro for the incredible training.

We’re proud of our K9 teams and grateful for the partnerships that make our region stronger and safer. 🐕‍🦺

10/30/2026

🎃 Have a safe Halloween, Wilmington!

Halloween is all about costumes, candy, and making memories. As you head out for trick-or-treating tomorrow night, the WPD wants to share a few safety reminders to help keep everyone safe!

🚸 For Parents & Trick-or-Treaters:
- Use sidewalks whenever possible and cross streets at designated crosswalks.
- Look both ways before crossing and always watch for moving vehicles.
- Carry a flashlight or glow sticks and wear reflective clothing to stay visible.
- Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.
- Use face paint or makeup instead of masks that could block vision.
- Parents should accompany younger children and keep an eye on older trick-or-treaters.

🚗 For Drivers:
- Slow down and stay alert, especially in residential neighborhoods.
- Watch carefully for children crossing streets and walking between parked cars.
- Avoid distractions and never drive under the influence.

🍬 Before enjoying the candy:
- Have an adult inspect all treats before children eat them.
- Discard anything that is unwrapped, damaged, or looks suspicious.

A little extra caution goes a long way in making it a fun night for everyone.

From our WPD family to yours, have a spooktacular Halloween! Stay safe, look out for one another, and have fun! 🎃👮‍♂️

10/29/2026

News Release: Update
Wilmington Police Department
Thursday, October 29, 2026

MAN IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION INTO RECENT SHOOTING

A 33-year-old Wilmington man is in custody following an extensive investigation by the WPD Criminal Investigation Division and WPD Gun Crimes Unit. Garry Hines is facing multiple charges, including Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury (AWDWIKISI) and two counts of Possession of a Fi***rm by a Convicted Felon. The charges are in relation to a shooting that left a 25-year-old woman with serious injuries last Saturday morning on Nixon Street. The female was shot by Hines following an altercation.

Thursday morning, the Cape Fear Regional SWAT Team arrested Hines without further incident at a residence on Downey Branch Lane. Additional charges are expected as a result of the search warrant. Hines is currently being held at the NHSO Detention Center without bond.



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INITIAL RELEASE:

News Release
Wilmington Police Department
Saturday, October 24, 2026


WPD INVESTIGATING SHOOTING ON NIXON STREET

Saturday morning WPD units were dispatched to the area of 4th Street and Nixon Street just after 3 a.m. in reference to a report of a person who had been shot.

Upon arrival, officers located a 25-year-old female lying in the roadway with a gunshot wound. She was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries by EMS. Officers responded to the scene to assess the situation and initiated an investigation into the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the WPD at (910) 343-3600 or use the anonymous Tip 411 app.

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10/28/2026

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