On February 4, 2021, Markelius Chambers, a 27-year-old Black male from Rocky Mount, NC, was fatally shot in the 1000 block of Branch Street. The Rocky Mount Police Department responded to a shot spotter activation and found Chambers with an apparent gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at UNC Nash Healthcare.
Darryel Jerrod Hill, a 30-year-old Rocky Mount Bloods gang member, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Chambers' death. Hill was arrested on February 5, 2021, and held without bond. In April 2023, Hill was released on bond but was rearrested after a traffic stop revealed heroin and a firearm. Hill was later found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Additional arrests were made in connection with the case. Tyheem Perry, 20, and Nakesha Williams, 40, both from Rocky Mount, were charged with accessory after the fact and received secured bonds of $50,000 and $90,000, respectively.
The investigation revealed that Hill, also known as "Rell," was identified by witnesses as the shooter. The trial concluded with Hill's conviction, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The tragic death of Markelius Chambers and the subsequent legal proceedings highlight the ongoing challenges of gang violence and the efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
