Ebony Boles, a resident of Wilmington, North Carolina, succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound on December 13, 2025, following a shooting at her home the previous day. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on December 12 at a residence in the 600 block of Bladen Street. Her husband, 58-year-old Michael Tyrone Loyde, allegedly entered the home and shot her before fleeing the scene.
Wilmington Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting the shooting. Upon arrival, they found Boles suffering from a gunshot injury. Emergency medical services transported her to a local hospital, where she was initially treated but ultimately pronounced deceased the following day due to the severity of her wounds.
Neighbors described the block as typically quiet and peaceful, expressing shock over the event. They portrayed Boles as a good neighbor who kept largely to herself. One individual identified her as his aunt, though he declined further comment amid the ongoing grief.
Loyde was spotted by authorities around 10:30 p.m. on Castle Street later that evening. He attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. The arrest involved coordination between Wilmington Police detectives, the Gun Crimes Unit, and partners including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Loyde faces charges of murder and is being held without bond at the New Hanover County Detention Center. The investigation highlighted interagency collaboration at local, state, and federal levels to locate and detain the suspect promptly following the incident.
Ebony Boles lived a life well lived, marked by quiet presence and positive regard within her Wilmington neighborhood. Her sudden loss underscores the profound impact of domestic violence on families and communities. The area continues to reflect on the tragedy while supporting those affected through this period of mourning.