Miya Denise Watts, a 26-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on April 19, 2021, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Miya was found with a gunshot wound at the Coliseum Inn, located at 2507 Gillespie Street. She was immediately taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where she was placed on life support. Unfortunately, Miya succumbed to her injuries and was removed from life support on April 21, 2021.
The investigation into Miya's death led to the arrest of two men,
Rommie Tyrell Reed, 29, and Antonio Lavon Campbell, 28. Both men faced charges of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, and conspiracy. Reed, who also resided at the Coliseum Inn, was apprehended after surveillance footage captured him walking through the motel's parking lot. Campbell surrendered to authorities shortly after.
The case garnered significant attention, with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office releasing photos of the suspects and appealing to the public for information. The charges against Reed and Campbell were upgraded to first-degree murder following Miya's death. Reed also faced an additional charge of failure to appear on a charge of communicating threats.
Miya Denise Watts' untimely death and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the community. The investigation and arrests brought some measure of justice for Miya and her family, but the loss of a young life remains a poignant reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such tragedies.
