ROCKINGHAM — Civil rights activist John C. Barnett III of True Healing Under God hosted a second press conference Tuesday afternoon outside the old courthouse, calling for transparency and accountability following a Dec. 14 incident in Ellerbe.
During the incident, Sidney Dillon Pittman, 23, fired a Mossberg 500A 12-gauge shotgun into the trunk and taillight of Tashika Trimble’s 2023 Dodge Challenger, according to the arrest warrant. Trimble, an Amazon delivery driver, had her teenage son, Jonathan Leak, in the car at the time.
The press conference featured multiple guest speakers advocating for justice and safety in the community.
“Our vision is to build a future where every community, regardless of race or economic status, thrives in safety, dignity and access to vital resources. As the Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment grows, we remain steadfast in our community. We in attendance stand in solidarity with Tashika Tremble, an Amazon delivery driver, and her son, Jonathan Leak,” said Ann Ingram of the Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment.
“We are here today, calling for full transparency from the Sheriff’s Department and any elected officials here in Rockingham. I have several concerns,” said Selina Campbell with Union County Kids. “Not only was she [Trimble] shot at while working black, but this is also a safety issue here. I realized in these small towns, these small counties, we have the biggest problems when it comes to a race.”
She added, “Lastly, I want to say that unfortunately, for black people to get justice, we have to fight for it. And that needs to change. We want to be treated fairly and equally as our counterparts. It should not be any difference. So, Mr. Pittman should get the charges that he rightfully deserves.”
Crystal Morrison, president of the Richmond County NAACP, spoke at the conference.
“We’re standing right here today in front of this courthouse to say to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and to the Richmond County sheriff, we need you to do your job. We need you to do your job in all fairness,” Morrison said. “We need you to work with the systems that are in place because guess what? If the D.A. is getting all this slack about what she ain’t doing, guess what? The thing was, she can’t do her job without the work that you’re supposed to provide for her.”
“It’s not about race. It’s not about religion. It’s not about politics. It’s about doing what’s right. It’s about holding those that needs to be held accountable, to be held accountable,” said Shank Rock.
Barnett spoke directly about the investigation and the response from law enforcement. According to Barnett, Lieutenant Brown informed him that all evidence has been sent to the district attorney’s office.
“I think really, it was a bluff game simply because of the fact that it’s been over 20 days since this incident happened with Miss Tashika and her son on Dec. 14… way before Christmas. This is a shooting case. This is not a speeding ticket. It’s not a DUI. This is a serious charge,” Barnett said.
“That’s all we’re asking you to do — is be transparent. Because the negligence, waiting almost 20 days and we go to raise canes so to speak and do mobilization meetings, stage justice rallies just to get justice in reference to these particular charges. So we want these charges to go forth,” he added.
Barnett said Trimble reported that an officer had not yet documented the damage to her vehicle and that other officials had checked on her home. “This individual lives right down the street. So we have to get other forms of security to help this lady to make sure she feels secure simply because they’re supposed to ride by and monitor the house,” he said.
“Because you don’t want to secure her, we got a lot of ways to secure this sister. We got a whole lot of ways to make sure she can be protected, and it ain’t by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department. So shame on you, Richmond County Sheriff Department. Shame on you for not treating this case with a priority,” Barnett said.
Trimble was delivering Amazon packages on Dec. 14 when she mistakenly pulled into Pittman’s driveway before making her delivery to the correct address. Pittman was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with a felony count of discharging a weapon into an occupied property and a misdemeanor count of injury to personal property. He was booked in the Richmond County Jail under a $200,000 secured bond and bailed out on Dec. 18.
In a Dec. 22 press conference, Barnett urged the sheriff’s office to charge Pittman with two counts of attempted murder, noting that Trimble’s son was in the car during the shooting. A rally was held Jan. 3 at Macedonia Church of God in Ellerbe.
“New sheriff in town. And his name is John C. Barnett. So if you don’t do your job, I’m sure we can find somebody to do that job for you,” Barnett said.