A local real estate agent in Greenville, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with the murders of three people in a violent, seemingly random rampage that spanned several miles and multiple crime scenes. The suspect, 55-year-old David Lever, is facing three counts of murder, and authorities believe he may have planned to continue his killing spree if he had not been apprehended.
The crime spree began on a Friday afternoon when Lever allegedly murdered 64-year-old Enrique Reyes. Surveillance footage revealed Lever walking to and from Reyes’ home, located just a few doors down from him. Despite their proximity, the two men had no known connection. After the murder, Lever drove to a nearby gas station, where he fired shots from his van, though no one was hit. Authorities received a 911 call reporting the gunfire, which led them to investigate the situation.
Lever’s next stop was a house on Peace Ridge Court, about four miles from his home. He allegedly knocked on the door, but the residents did not answer, and they reported seeing him leave without recognition. He then shot into another nearby home. Lever continued his rampage by traveling to the home of 80-year-old Anthony Gribble and his 76-year-old wife, Paula Gribble, who lived on the same street. The couple was shot to death, though, at this time, no connection between Lever and the Gribbles has been established.
The Gribbles’ son was nearby and rushed to the scene. He confronted Lever and held him at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived to take him into custody. While deputies were investigating Lever’s home, a passerby reported finding Reyes’ body in the driveway, leading them to the first crime scene.
In the investigation, authorities recovered at least 50 firearms, including handguns and rifles, as well as ammunition in Lever’s home and van. The sheer number of weapons found, combined with the multiple crime scenes, has left law enforcement officials struggling to piece together a clear motive for the killings.
According to law enforcement, they believe Lever may have planned to continue his rampage if he had not been stopped. Sheriff Paula Dance mentioned that deputies suspect Lever intended to target more victims, but his arrest prevented further bloodshed. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities trying to understand why Lever, a man with a good reputation in the community, would commit such horrific acts.
Lever, who is a partner at Lever & Russel Real Estate LLC in Greenville, is now being held without bond at the Pitt County Detention Center. His appearance in court on Monday morning was marked by outbursts, as he reportedly called the judge a profane name as he left the courtroom. This tragic event has left the community in shock, as they try to comprehend the violent actions of a man who was previously well-regarded in the area.
