WADESBORO, N.C. — Note: WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because the suspect is actively wanted for murder.
Two days after a man was fatally shot in a Wadesboro apartment, police say the person they suspect in the killing is on the run.
The Wadesboro Police Department said they responded to a call at the Oak Hill apartment complex on North Greene Street in the north side of town just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday. They found 30-year-old Jamarcus D. Sellers of Rockingham, who had been shot several times. He was rushed to a hospital nearby but died shortly after.
An investigation was launched by both the department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI). Police said they quickly identified 26-year-old Deqon Rayquan Hailey of Wadesboro as the suspect. Warrants for Hailey's arrest were obtained, and he is now formally charged with murder. He's believed to have acted alone and nobody else is expected to be charged with Sellers' death.
While investigators have been searching for him, Hailey has thus far not been arrested. Wadesboro Police said in a statement Friday he may be in Union County.
Anyone who knows Hailey's whereabouts is asked to call 704-694-2160. If he's spotted, call 911. He stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 200 pounds, and has long black hair.
"I would like to send my personal and our department’s most sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Sellers," said Wadesboro Police Chief Brandon H. Chewning. "It saddens me to see such a young vibrant life taken in a senseless act of violence. I would like to assure the community that the Wadesboro Police Department will not condone criminal behavior and we will continue working tirelessly to make Wadesboro a safer and better place."
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
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