William Brian Coghill, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, North Carolina 2021

A shocking case of gun violence has come to a close in Oxford, North Carolina. William Brian Coghill, a 35-year-old resident of the town, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm, a crime that saw him shoot two acquaintances and leave one for dead.

The incident occurred on August 14, 2021, when the Granville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a 911 call regarding a gunshot victim located at Fredrick Road, Oxford, North Carolina. Upon arrival, deputies found the first victim, who had a gunshot wound to his right arm, and the second victim, who had two gunshot wounds to his lower right side/back area and the front lower left abdomen area.

According to court documents, Coghill’s mother witnessed her son take the shotgun in one hand and a black pistol in his other hand to the porch where the two victims were sitting and began pointing both the shotgun and the pistol at the victims. She stated that both victims begged Coghill not to shoot them. Coghill’s mother was able to take the shotgun away from her son, but he went on to shoot the first victim and then the second victim with a pistol.

The second victim spent several weeks in the hospital and was close to death at one point. He also underwent several surgeries. Coghill was found hiding in the attic of his home with a shotgun and was arrested by deputies.

Coghill also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree attempted murder in state court and was sentenced to 15 to 19 years. The case was investigated by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer May-Parker.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II presided over the sentencing. The case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

A copy of the press release is located on our website, and related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00030-M.

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