Dominic Rayvon Basnight, a 25-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on March 9, 2021, in Edenton, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. when police responded to a shots fired call in the 700 block of Cabarrus Street. Shortly after, a critically injured Basnight was brought to Vidant Chowan Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act.
Authorities arrested two suspects in connection with Basnight's death. Nikale Walton, a 22-year-old male, and Darren Valentine, a 32-year-old male, were both charged with murder. Walton was arrested on March 18, 2021, and Valentine on March 22, 2021.
In the legal proceedings that followed, Nikale Walton entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of second-degree murder in Chowan County Superior Court. He was sentenced to a minimum prison term of 195 months by Superior Court Judge Andrew Womble. The investigation into the incident was conducted by the Edenton police in coordination with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
