Reidsville, North Carolina – Police Investigate Double Homicide Following Deadly Shooting on Roach Street
June 13, 2025 – Reidsville, NC — A somber cloud has settled over the community of Reidsville following a devastating late-night shooting that left two individuals dead. The Reidsville Police Department (RPD) is investigating the double homicide, which occurred on the night of Thursday, June 12, 2025, and has left family members, neighbors, and city officials reeling.
According to an official statement released by RPD, officers were dispatched at approximately 11:55 p.m. in response to multiple reports of shots fired in the 500 block of Roach Street. Upon arrival, first responders encountered a harrowing scene: two victims suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began administering emergency aid in a desperate attempt to save the victims’ lives.
Moments later, Rockingham County Emergency Medical Services arrived and took over life-saving efforts. Despite those attempts, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as 42-year-old Samuel L. Brooks and 37-year-old Shanika D. Penn, both residents of the Reidsville area. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the relationship between the two victims, nor have they disclosed a possible motive behind the attack. The nature and number of the gunshot wounds sustained by each individual have also not been released, pending further forensic analysis and autopsy results.
The area was cordoned off for several hours as police combed the scene for evidence. Flashing lights from emergency vehicles lit up the otherwise quiet neighborhood, drawing dozens of community members who watched in silence as investigators worked through the night.
Detectives have since confirmed that they have developed a person of interest in connection to the case. However, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, RPD is withholding further information about the individual at this time. It remains unclear whether the suspect is known to the victims or if this was a random act of violence.
In a public appeal for assistance, the Reidsville Police Department is urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area of Roach Street late Thursday night, or who has relevant information, to come forward. Individuals can contact Sergeant Menard at 336-347-2346, or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.
As the investigation unfolds, grief-stricken family members are left searching for answers and justice. Friends and neighbors describe both Brooks and Penn as kind-hearted individuals who did not deserve to have their lives cut short in such a brutal manner. Community leaders are now calling for unity and vigilance in light of the tragic loss, and many are renewing conversations around public safety, neighborhood watch initiatives, and gun violence prevention.
The Reidsville Police Department is committed to pursuing every lead in order to bring those responsible to justice and to provide closure for the victims’ families. Updates will be shared with the public as new information becomes available.
This tragedy marks one of the most violent incidents in Reidsville in recent years, and it serves as a painful reminder of the deep and lasting impact gun violence has on families and communities alike. As investigations continue, the city mourns the lives of Samuel L. Brooks and Shanika D. Penn and prays for healing and justice in the days to come.