Gathering and fundraiser planned for Friday for shooting victims, family
{Rodrigo “Rigo” Mejia and his son, Miguel Mejia Couto, appear in a photo shared by their family. The men were two of three victims allegedly shot Saturday, Feb. 3 by Zackary Plowman, whose criminal record dates back to 2001. Contributed photo}
Family and friends of the Virgina Drive shooting victims are raising their voices while they work to raise funds for those shot on Virginia Drive last weekend.
Rigoberto “Rigo” Mejia Gonzalez lost his life in the shooting, his oldest son, Miguel Mejia Couto continues to fight for his life, and a third victim, Anthony Fritz, was treated and released. Police allege that Zackary Plowman, 39, of Rural Hall, drove up to the house where family and friends were gathered and fired numerous shots, hitting all three victims before driving away.
There is no information at this time on the motive for the shooting, and police say they are continuing to work to put the pieces together.
Family and friends of the Mejia and Couta family will gather outside the old courthouse in Lexington, currently the Historical Museum, on Main Street at 3 p.m. Friday to lift their voices in hopes the court will hear their concerns that Plowman, who has an extensive criminal history, may attempt to plead insanity. They strenuously object to that possibility.
“This Friday my cousins and I will be gathering in front of the old courthouse in Lexington,” said Cynthia Couto, who is the niece of Rigo and cousin to Miguel. “We ned to keep my cousin, Miguel’s spirit alive. We need coverage for hospital bills. We need the court to rule out insanity. We need the court to feel and know our anger and sadness. They need to know we are demanding justice.”
Plowman’s history dates back to 2001, and in 2008 he began a 15-19 year sentence for a second-degree murder conviction in which he pled guilty to providing the cocaine in 2006 that killed his then-girlfriend in an overdose. He told officials he gave her the drugs then went to sleep and when he woke up, she was dead.
He completed that sentence in November of 2023 and was released. There may be some confusion caused by the fact that he was released from prison in the case on February 17, 2023 after serving 15 years and one month, but remained on parole until November 14, 2023 when his sentence was fulfilled. According to Forsyth County Public Relations Manager Daniel Crews, “Plowman was in fact convicted of second-degree murder. He was not out on pretrial release for that homicide.” Court records show no current charges for Plowman and he is not listed as wanted by Forsyth County Sheriffs.
Couto said her family is concerned that this case could be overlooked because of the victims.
“We will come together and make sure my cousin and uncle do not become just another brown person being shot,” she said. She added that Plowman “should have never been let out into society.”
Family members have said they believe doctors did all they could for Rigo, 48, but the injuries were too severe. Now they are directing their prayers and energy toward Miguel, 26, and toward comfort for the family as they mourn.
A fundraiser selling food and drink will also be held Friday starting at 3 p.m. at Templo Emanuel, 3100 East Us Hwy 64 (across the road from Randy’s Restauraunt) and anyone who would like to sell food or drink to contribute to the fundraiser is welcome, along with donations of drinks and paper goods. Donations can be brought to the church ahead of time. Funds raised will help pay for funeral and medical costs.
“Estan invitados este Viernes Feb. 9 para recaudar fondos para la familia Mejia-Couto. Sus donaciones seran para ayudar a la familia con el funeral de Rigoberto Mejia y con los costos medicos de Miguel Mejia que aun sigue en el hospital luchando por su vida,” says the family’s post on Facebook.
Food offerings will include tacos, enchiladas, falutas, tacos de canasta, ezquites, chocoflan, pasteles en rebanadas, and bebedias.
Plowman’s next scheduled court date is Feb. 19.
