Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Donnie Morris Butts Jr.
Age :53
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 04/18/2021
Location : Central Heights Road and E. New Hope Road
City : Goldsboro
County : Wayne
State : North Carolina
Agency : Wayne County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On April 18, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m., Wayne County Sheriff's deputies attempted to serve outstanding warrants on Donnie Morris Butts Jr., 53, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Butts fled in a pickup truck, leading deputies on a pursuit. During the chase, Butts' vehicle collided with a deputy's cruiser. A second deputy continued the pursuit. Butts lost control of his truck, ran off the road, and collided with a parked big rig. Butts died at the crash site.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wral.com/story/driver-dies-after-leading-wayne-deputies-on-chase/19635005/
https://www.goldsborodailynews.com/2021/04/19/update-wanted-suspect-dies-in-crash-while-fleeing-from-deputies/
https://cdllife.com/2021/high-speed-chase-ends-in-fatal-collision-with-tractor-trailer/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225951529/donnie_morris-butts
https://www.facebook.com/dave.jordanwitn/posts/a-high-speed-chase-in-goldsboro-ended-when-a-pickup-truck-crashed-into-a-parked-/3922529687864908/

Jackie Cameron Capps
Age :58
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 04/02/2021
Location : 1300 block Clay Long Road
City : Hurdle Mills
County : Person
State : North Carolina
Agency : Person County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during family hostage situation
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On April 2, 2021, around 10:13 p.m., a deputy from the Person County Sheriff's Office responded to an incomplete 911 call at a residence in the 1300 block of Clay Long Road in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina. Upon arrival, the deputy encountered Jackie Cameron Capps, 58, holding three people hostage at gunpoint.
The deputy called for backup and ordered Capps to drop his weapon. Capps refused and allegedly pointed the firearm at the hostages. The deputy discharged their weapon, fatally shooting Capps. The Person County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances of the shooting.
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SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/fatal-person-county-deputy-involved-shooting-during-hostage-situation-ruled-lawful-report/
https://abc11.com/sheriff-deputy-shooting-man-killed-hurdle-mills/11433321/
https://www.wral.com/sheriff-man-killed-in-deputy-involved-shooting-after-holding-3-hostage-at-person-county-home/20065566/
https://www.wral.com/sheriff-man-killed-in-deputy-involved-shooting-after-holding-3-hostage-at-person-county-home/19608814/
https://abc11.com/person-county-deputy-involved-shooting-hurdle-mills-clay-long-road/10479818/
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/man-shot-dead-by-person-county-deputy-during-hostage-situation-sheriff-says/

Frankie Jennings
Age :32
Gender :Male
Race : Black
Date : 03/21/2021
Location : 2235 The Plaza
City : Charlotte
County : Mecklenburg
State : North Carolina
Agency : U.S. Marshals Service
Officer(s) : Senior Inspector Eric Tillman
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during attempted arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On March 23, 2021, U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest 32-year-old Frankie Jennings at a gas station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jennings was wanted on multiple warrants, including assault with a deadly weapon against law enforcement and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During the attempted arrest, Jennings reportedly reached for a firearm inside his vehicle. Senior Inspector Eric Tillman fired three shots, fatally wounding Jennings. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office later determined that the use of deadly force was justified.
SOURCE LINKS :

Lois Fay Simmons
Age :86
Gender :Female
Race : White
Date : 03/15/2021
Location : US-1 and Tramway Road
City : Sanford
County : Lee
State : North Carolina
Agency : Lee County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Bystander killed in crash with police vehicle
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On March 15, 2021, 86-year-old Lois Fay Simmons, a beloved grandmother, mother, and sister, had just left the Food Lion grocery store, where she had been shopping for her family. She was stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of US-1 and Tramway Road in Sanford when deputies initiated a high-speed chase of a teenage driver who refused to stop for a traffic stop.
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The deputies pursued the vehicle, exceeding 100 mph, with reports indicating that the chase reached 111 mph. As the pursuit approached the intersection, the fleeing teenager lost control of his vehicle, which became airborne and crashed into Simmons' car, killing her.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/lee-county-high-speed-vehicle-chase-ends-with-three-arrests-involvement-from-numerous-law-enforcement-agencies-sheriff-says
• https://www.wral.com/story/murder-charge-filed-in-fatal-lee-county-crash-involving-man-fleeing-law-enforcement/19578959
• https://www.fox4now.com/estero/fhp-man-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-in-a-stolen-pickup-truck
• https://www.wrbl.com/news/crime/highspeed-chase-from-lee-county-ends-in-columbus
• https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/lee-county-high-speed-vehicle-chase-ends-with-three-arrests-involvement-from-numerous-law-enforcement-agencies-sheriff-says
• https://www.wral.com/story/high-speed-chase-crashes-leads-to-arrests/20045379

Michael Darrell Smith
Age :34
Gender :Male
Race : Black
Date : 02/24/2021
Location : 7th Street and Roberts Avenue
City : Lumberton
County : Robeson
State : North Carolina
Agency : Lumberton Police Department
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 24, 2021, Michael Darrell Smith, 34, was driving a car when Lumberton PD escalated a chase for outstanding warrants. The chase continued until Smith crashed into four other vehicles at the intersection of 7th Street and Roberts Avenue in Lumberton. Smith was killed in the crash.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://www.robesonian.com/top-stories/142882/five-vehicle-crash-in-lumberton-leaves-one-man-dead
• https://www.robesonian.com/top-stories/142949/man-killed-in-multi-vehicle-collision-was-doing-an-estimated-70-mph-while-fleeing-lawmen
• https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/lumberton/1-dead-2-injured-after-police-chase-ends-in-crash-in-lumberton/
• https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/lumberton/charges-filed-against-driver-involved-in-deadly-lumberton-crash-after-police-chase/
• https://www.wbtw.com/local-news/robeson-co-police-pursuit-raises-concern-on-social-media-suspect-arrested-on-drug-and-weapon-charges/
• https://wpde.com/news/local/911-audio-recordings-deadly-lumberton-crash-police-chase-cindy-coe-north-carolina-february-1-2022

Carlton James "C.J." Adams
Age :30
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 02/22/2021
Location : Randolph Road
City : Nebo
County : McDowell
State : North Carolina
Agency : McDowell County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed in shootout with police
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 22, 2021, a McDowell County sheriff’s deputy initiated a vehicle stop on Randolph Road in Nebo, North Carolina. During the stop, gunfire was exchanged between the deputy and the occupants of the vehicle for unknown reasons. Carlton James "C.J." Adams, 30, was fatally shot in the exchange. Another occupant, David Steven Hylemon, 39, was injured. The circumstances leading to the gunfire remain under investigation by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://www.mcdowellnews.com/news/crime/fatal-shooting-in-north-carolina-deputy-involved-incident-in-nebo/article_94f8c7c0-44d4-11eb-b7de-773f79bdbb4f.html
• https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/fatal-shooting-in-nebo-investigation-underway/7V33F7S3CRJZLNXTZ6EF6XU76Y/
• https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/deputy-involved-in-fatal-shooting-in-north-carolina/article_f1e8314a-44f3-11eb-99ba-53fda18cf7a4.html

James Edward Coe
Age :28
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 02/17/2021
Location : I-85
City : Salisbury
County : Rowan
State : North Carolina
Agency : Rowan County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 17, 2021, deputies from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office attempted to arrest 28-year-old James Edward Coe for outstanding warrants. Deputies observed Coe and another individual leaving a residence in Salisbury and getting into a white Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck.
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The deputies, looking for a reason to stop him, stated that Coe had brake light and tag violations. This explanation was used to escalate a high-speed chase that continued until the I-85 southbound ramp near Julian Road. Coe reportedly exited the vehicle and fired a long gun, striking a police vehicle. Deputies returned fire as Coe fled into a wooded area, allegedly continuing to shoot at pursuing officers.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury Police Department, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol, responded and established a perimeter. Coe was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
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The Rowan County District Attorney's Office cleared the deputies of any wrongdoing, stating that the officers acted within the law in response to Coe's actions.
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SOURCE LINKS :

Shae Estelle Jones
Age :33
Gender :Female
Race : White
Date : 02/08/2021
Location : 1215 Mountain Avenue
City : Gastonia
County : Gaston
State : North Carolina
Agency : Gastonia Police Department
Officer(s) : Officer K. Solano-Garita
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during overdose response
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 8, 2021, at approximately 12:12 a.m., officers from the Gastonia Police Department responded to a report of a suspected overdose at 1215 Mountain Avenue in Gastonia, North Carolina. Upon arrival, officers encountered 33-year-old Shae Estelle Jones inside the residence, reportedly with a firearm.
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Officer K. Solano-Garitaopened fire, striking Jones. She was transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Jones died from her injuries the following day, February 9, 2021.
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The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) took over the investigation, and Officer Solano-Garita was placed on administrative leave.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/officer-involved-shooting-gastonia-north-carolina/275-940bfd8c-ec9d-4c80-91a4-524ffd072066
• https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/authorities-investigating-officer-involved-shooting-gastonia-after-responding-overdose/7P4GX2U3XRFJ7D4XRNKQN4XFQM/
• https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2021/02/08/officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation-in-gastonia
• https://www.wfae.org/crime-justice/2021-02-08/state-investigating-after-gastonia-officer-shoots-woman

Josue Drumond-Cruz
Age :34
Gender :Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 02/05/2021
Location : 2900 block West English Road
City : High Point
County : Guilford
State : North Carolina
Agency : High Point Police Department, Greensboro Police Department
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during standoff
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 5, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m., officers from the High Point Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a residence located at 2900 block West English Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered 34-year-old Josue Drumond-Cruz, who was allegedly uncooperative and retreated into the house.
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Drumond-Cruz exited the house with an AR-15-style rifle and pointed it at officers before re-entering the home. Officers were aware that Blanca E. Cadavid, 35, and two children, ages 12 and 14, were inside the residence during this time. A search warrant and arrest warrants were obtained for Drumond-Cruz.
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At approximately 3:40 a.m., officers attempted to breach the door, at which point Drumond-Cruz opened fire, injuring three officers. The officers were treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Drumond-Cruz continued to fire at officers throughout the morning.
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At approximately 10:10 a.m., Drumond-Cruz fired at officers from the Greensboro Police Department, who returned fire, fatally wounding him. Officers entered the residence and discovered Cadavid deceased. The medical examiner determined she had been dead for approximately 8 to 10 hours. The two children were unharmed and placed into protective custody.
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The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting the investigation into the incident, and no further details about the officers involved have been publicly released.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/crime/family-describes-mom-of-two-killed-in-high-point-standoff/83-c274e566-385e-445c-956e-b32eab37906d
• https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/police-identify-woman-killed-hours-before-high-point-standoff-with-drumond-cruz/83-e94f8eec-c4df-4056-bc69-11f963a4ded2
• https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2021/02/05/3-officers-shot-overnight-in-high-point
• https://myfox8.com/news/he-tried-to-murder-them-suspect-killed-in-standoff-after-shooting-3-high-point-officers-woman-found-dead-inside-house/
• https://www.wxii12.com/article/high-point-family-of-woman-found-dead-after-hours-long-standoff-share-details-about-blanca-cadavid/35634727
• https://abc45.com/news/local/suspect-killed-in-standoff-high-point-after-shooting-3-officers
• https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/02/05/police-3-officers-shot-by-suspect-who-is-barricaded-in-home/
• https://news.yahoo.com/police-3-officers-shot-suspect-121206034.html

Anthony Andrew Renuart
Age :52
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 02/03/2021
Location : 3147 Canady Mill Rd.
City : Franklinton
County : Granville
State : North Carolina
Agency : North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during arrest attempt
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 3, 2021, at approximately 11:00 a.m., agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and deputies from the Granville County Sheriff's Office arrived at 3147 Canady Mill Rd. in Franklinton, North Carolina, to serve an arrest warrant for 52-year-old Anthony Andrew Renuart. The charges against Renuart included first-degree statutory sex offense, four counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and disseminating obscenities to a minor. The search warrant pertained to the production of child pornography.
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Upon their arrival, Renuart, who was armed, retreated into the residence. At approximately 11:00 a.m., he emerged from the house armed with a long gun. An SBI agent opened fire, fatally wounding Renuart.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/sbi-identifies-agent-suspect-involved-in-deadly-granville-county-shooting/
https://www.wral.com/story/neighbors-shocked-and-appalled-after-finding-out-granville-county-man-was-sex-crimes-suspect/19509885/

Tavius Monta Carroll
Age :21
Gender :Male
Race : Black
Date : 02/02/2021
Location : NC-11 & NC-903
City : Kenansville
County : Duplin
State : North Carolina
Agency : North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Drowned
Event : Drowned during police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 2, 2021, a trooper from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol attempted to stop a driver for speeding. The driver did not stop, and police escalated the pursuit through Kenansville on NC-24, eventually turning onto NC-11. At the intersection of NC-11 and NC-903, during the chase, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, drove across NC-903, struck a fence, and entered a pond, where the vehicle quickly became submerged in approximately 15 feet of water.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://wcti12.com/news/local/crews-responding-to-submerged-vehicle-along-duplin-county-roadway
• https://www.wnct.com/local-news/duplin-co-officials-respond-after-chase-leaves-vehicle-overturned-in-pond/
• https://speedlux.com/four-young-people-die-high-speed-car-chase-north-carolina/

Jordan Nicole Southers
Age :20
Gender :Female
Race : White
Date : 02/02/2021
Location : NC-11 & NC-903
City : Kenansville
County : Duplin
State : North Carolina
Agency : North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Drowned
Event : Drowned during police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 2, 2021, a trooper from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol attempted to stop a driver for speeding. The driver did not stop, and police escalated the pursuit through Kenansville on NC-24, eventually turning onto NC-11. At the intersection of NC-11 and NC-903, during the chase, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, drove across NC-903, struck a fence, and entered a pond, where the vehicle quickly became submerged in approximately 15 feet of water.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://wcti12.com/news/local/crews-responding-to-submerged-vehicle-along-duplin-county-roadway
• https://www.wnct.com/local-news/duplin-co-officials-respond-after-chase-leaves-vehicle-overturned-in-pond/
• https://speedlux.com/four-young-people-die-high-speed-car-chase-north-carolina/

Geavon Lamont Myles
Age :17
Gender :Male
Race : Black
Date : 02/02/2021
Location : NC-11 & NC-903
City : Kenansville
County : Duplin
State : North Carolina
Agency : North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Drowned
Event : Drowned during police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 2, 2021, a trooper from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol attempted to stop a driver for speeding. The driver did not stop, and police escalated the pursuit through Kenansville on NC-24, eventually turning onto NC-11. At the intersection of NC-11 and NC-903, during the chase, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, drove across NC-903, struck a fence, and entered a pond, where the vehicle quickly became submerged in approximately 15 feet of water.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://wcti12.com/news/local/crews-responding-to-submerged-vehicle-along-duplin-county-roadway
• https://www.wnct.com/local-news/duplin-co-officials-respond-after-chase-leaves-vehicle-overturned-in-pond/
• https://speedlux.com/four-young-people-die-high-speed-car-chase-north-carolina/

Amanda Serrano-Garcia
Age :19
Gender :Female
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 02/02/2021
Location : NC-11 & NC-903
City : Kenansville
County : Duplin
State : North Carolina
Agency : North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Drowned
Event : Drowned during police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 2, 2021, a trooper from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol attempted to stop a driver for speeding. The driver did not stop, and police escalated the pursuit through Kenansville on NC-24, eventually turning onto NC-11. At the intersection of NC-11 and NC-903, during the chase, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, drove across NC-903, struck a fence, and entered a pond, where the vehicle quickly became submerged in approximately 15 feet of water.
SOURCE LINKS :
• https://wcti12.com/news/local/crews-responding-to-submerged-vehicle-along-duplin-county-roadway
• https://www.wnct.com/local-news/duplin-co-officials-respond-after-chase-leaves-vehicle-overturned-in-pond/
• https://speedlux.com/four-young-people-die-high-speed-car-chase-north-carolina/

Matthew Oxendine
Age :46
Gender :Male
Race : Black
Date : 01/09/2021
Location : 2000 block Union Chapel Road
City : Pembroke
County : Robeson
State : North Carolina
Agency : Robeson County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On January 9, 2021, at approximately 9:41 p.m., deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at 32 Janice Drive in Pembroke. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with 46-year-old Matthew Oxendine, who was inside a vehicle.
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Oxendine had set fire to the interior of the vehicle. He made statements about bleeding out and threatened police. A SWAT team was assembled to assist in negotiations. At approximately 11:51 p.m., Oxendine allegedly pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the SWAT team. Deputies opened fire, killing him.
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The vehicle fire was extinguished, and Oxendine was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation revealed that the object Oxendine pointed at deputies was a toy gun with a wooden stock. He had been unarmed.
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Matthew Oxendine's family has expressed significant concerns regarding his fatal shooting by Robeson County deputies during a mental health crisis. They question the decision to deploy a SWAT team in response to a distress call, highlighting the lack of body and dash cam footage, and the absence of mental health professionals at the scene. The family is advocating for increased police accountability, enhanced training, and the implementation of body-worn cameras to better handle such situations in the future.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://abc11.com/matthew-oxendine-officer-involved-shooting-robeson-county-sheriffs-office-burnis-wilkins/9523624/
• https://borderbelt.org/family-calls-for-change-after-deputies-shoot-nc-man-struggling-with-mental-illness-drugs/
• https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/deputies-release-new-information-timeline-of-robeson-county-officer-involved-shooting/
