Burlington shooting investigation leads to arrest, two juveniles expected to be charged

Burlington police say a late-night gunfire call in the 600 block of Center Avenue led investigators to Tucker Street Apartments, where officers later recovered an assault rifle and a stolen handgun and arrested an 18-year-old on firearms charges.

Police said multiple 911 callers reported shots fired around 3:17 a.m. on April 25, 2026. When officers reached Center Avenue, they found several spent shell casings in the roadway. No victims were located and there was no property damage, police said.

The case soon widened beyond the original block. Investigators linked the shooting to activity around Tucker Street Apartments, a Burlington complex that has drawn law-enforcement attention before. On April 28, while officers were patrolling the area to help prevent violent crime, they saw people in a vehicle they believed was connected to the earlier shooting. Burlington police and Graham police then carried out a traffic stop and recovered an assault rifle and a stolen handgun from the car.

Kasean Thomas Wilkins, 18, was charged with going armed to the terror of the public, discharging a firearm within city limits and possession of a stolen firearm. He was held at the Alamance County Detention Center without bond.

Police also said the investigation showed that several people, some armed, were involved in a disturbance at Tucker Street Apartments on April 25. Two juveniles were taken into custody on May 1 and are expected to face petitioned charges including handgun possession by a minor, going armed to the terror of the public and assault by pointing a gun. Officers said there were no injuries in either incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The Burlington Police Department said the case reflects continued concern about illegal gun possession and group violence in Burlington, especially along familiar corridors like Center Avenue and Tucker Street Apartments. A prior shooting at the apartments in 2020 also underscored why the location remains on police radar.

Anyone with information is asked to call Burlington investigators at (336) 229-3500 or Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips mobile app.