Death by Cop 2021-2025
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William Earl Surles
Gender : Male
Age : 64
Race : Black
Date : 12/01/2022
Location : 175 Bain Street
City : Lillington
County : Harnett
State : North Carolina
Agency : Harnett County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) :Gary Clifton McNeal, Danial Edward Pearson Jr., Cleon Hall, Daeshawn Lewis Smith, Eric Jason Morris
Cause of Death : Beaten/bludgeoned
Event : Killed in jail by another inmate
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
William Earl Surles, a 64-year-old Black male, was found dead in his cell at Harnett County Jail in December 2022. He died from blunt force trauma to the head. Devonte Jamal Headen was later indicted for first-degree murder in Surles’ death. Surles' family has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Wayne Coats and several jail employees, alleging negligence for housing Surles with Headen, known for violent behavior. An investigation is ongoing.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wral.com/news/local/family-files-lawsuit-harnett-county-jail-death-dec-2024/
