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From February 13, 2021

WINTON – Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal drive-by shooting of a Winton woman last year.

On Feb. 10, Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes announced that 23-year-old Destiny Monique Dudley and 18-year-old James Madison Major Jr., both of Ahoskie, are charged with first degree murder as well as other crimes.

They stand accused of fatally shooting 30-year-old Canika “Nik” Macole Vann in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2020 while she slept inside the East Wynn Street home of her mother. Iris Vann, the mother, was not injured.

In the days after the shooting, Hayes told this newspaper that neither of the women were the targets of the drive-by shooters.

Dudley was taken into custody, without incident, on Feb. 3 by the Isle of Wight County’s (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office. Hayes said Dudley is currently awaiting extradition back to Hertford County.

Major was arrested, without incident, on Feb. 9 by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his arrest, at First and Academy streets in Ahoskie, Major was armed with a handgun.

Hayes said that handgun was seized and is currently undergoing ballistic testing to see if it is the murder weapon.

Major is being held in the Hertford County Jail without the benefit of bond.

In addition to the first degree murder charge, Major also stands charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

“First to Canika’s family, I want you to know that my office worked extremely hard on this case,” Sheriff Hayes stated in a press release. “My team of Investigators never stopped and we wanted to ensure that we brought some peace to you by bringing those responsible to justice for the death of your love one.

“Canika was a mother, daughter, aunt, and friend to many. I pray that justice will be served and that you, the family, can start the healing process,” Hayes added.

Sheriff Hayes said he was “extremely grateful for the dedicated and hardworking investigators, Lt. Tom Helms, Sgt. Scott Cofield, Investigator Chase Oliver, Investigator Keith Lassiter, Investigator Johnny Joyner and the collaboration with our state and local partners, the SBI Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Ahoskie Police

Department, and the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office.”

There was no information made available regarding why the Vann home was targeted by the drive-by shooters or who they were possibly seeking to kill or harm. However, it is known that Sept. 16, 2020 wasn’t the first time that residence had been struck by gunfire.

“It had been shot at before on different occasions,” Sheriff Hayes told this newspaper in the days following the fatal incident.