– Press release from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow
Over the past several days, the City of Henderson has experienced multiple incidents involving gun-related criminal activity, beginning with a reported incident on Wester Avenue on January 20, 2026.
On January 21, 2026, three additional related incidents were reported. At approximately 5:45 p.m., shots were fired in the 1800 block of South Garnett Street Extension. A female seated inside a vehicle in her yard was targeted but was not struck; her vehicle and a neighboring vehicle were damaged by gunfire.
At approximately 7:38 p.m., a female, Katlyn Matthews (28), was struck in the thigh by gunfire while inside a residence in the 600 block of Roberson Street. Later that evening, at approximately 9:37 p.m., a sixteen-year-old female (Juvenile) was struck in the hand by gunfire in the 900 block of Water Street. All injured individuals were transported to area medical facilities and received treatment for their injuries.
The Henderson Police Department, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, is actively investigating these incidents. Currently, investigators believe the incidents are targeted and retaliatory in nature and not random acts of violence.
In addition to the information and evidence already collected, The Henderson Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in identifying any individuals who may be directly or indirectly involved. Community cooperation is critical in resolving incidents of this nature.
The Henderson Police Department will utilize all available local, state, and federal resources to identify, locate, and arrest those responsible, as well as any individuals who may have aided or participated in these acts.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Individuals can also message us through Facebook messenger.