Charles Bernard Ross Jr., a 31-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on October 5, 2020, in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Wilmington Police Department responded to a call at around 6:25 a.m. on the 4100 block of Princess Place Drive, where they found Ross suffering from life-threatening wounds. He was immediately transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries during surgery.
This incident marked the 13th homicide in Wilmington for the year 2020.
In the aftermath of Ross's death, the Wilmington Police Department launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the crime. On January 5, 2021, two men, Hykeem Quintell Durant, 31, and Dashon Maroze Davis, 30, were arrested in connection with the murder of Charles Bernard Ross Jr. Both men were charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Marshals Carolina Regional Task Force, S.W.A.T., and the Mobile Field Force.
However, the case took a significant turn when the charges against Durant and Davis were dropped in July 2021. The New Hanover District Attorney's Office received an affidavit from a material witness who recanted their testimony, leading to the dismissal of the charges due to insufficient evidence. Despite the dismissal, the investigation remains open, and authorities continue to seek additional information that could lead to the resolution of the case.
Charles Bernard Ross Jr.'s death has left a lasting impact on his family and the Wilmington community. He is survived by his children, Jazyln Ross, Malachi Doughty, and Tristan Ross; his parents, Deidra Parker and Charles Ross; and his siblings, Cordelia Ross, Shania Hobley, Anthony Parker, Desire Brown, and Laila Ross. The community continues to mourn his loss and hopes for justice to be served in his case.
