Jerome Lynch, a 30-year-old African American male, was found dead in the backyard of his home in Whitakers, North Carolina, on August 13, 2020. The Nash County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene around 8:45 p.m. and discovered Lynch's body. His girlfriend and two small children, who also lived in the home, were present but did not witness the shooting.
The investigation led to the arrest of two suspects, Adarius Deonte-Ray Johnson, 25, of Battleboro, and Taquan Stokes, 26, of Rocky
Mount. Both men were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Lynch's death. Johnson was arrested on August 16, 2020, while Stokes was apprehended later that week.
Authorities believe the motive behind the shooting was an ongoing feud between Lynch and Stokes. The two men were long-time acquaintances, and their conflict ultimately led to the fatal encounter. Johnson, also known as "Kush," was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office continues to follow up on leads and interview individuals connected to the case. The investigation remains active as detectives work to uncover more details surrounding the circumstances of Lynch's death.
