Quintin Crawford, a 61-year-old African American man, was tragically shot and killed on June 10, 2020, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The incident occurred near North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus. Crawford was found dead in the front seat of his SUV, having been shot multiple times. The suspect, Theodore James Lee, a 23-year-old man, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. According to reports, an altercation between Crawford and Lee led to the fatal shooting.
Crawford had gone to the campus to intervene in a dispute between his daughter and her boyfriend, Lee. The situation escalated, resulting in Lee shooting Crawford.
Theodore James Lee was charged with murder and was held without bond. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the crime and its location on a university campus. Lee had a history of domestic violence and had previously threatened Crawford's daughter. On the evening of the incident, Crawford's daughter had called her father for help after an argument with Lee. Crawford, concerned for his daughter's safety, went to pick her up, bringing a gun for protection. Witnesses reported seeing Lee driving recklessly around the campus before the shooting. Lee eventually confronted Crawford and fired multiple shots into his vehicle, killing him.
In January 2023, Theodore James Lee pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Quintin Crawford. The plea came after an extended meeting with his attorney, during which Lee decided to accept responsibility for the crime. The court heard evidence of Lee's violent history and the events leading up to the shooting. Despite Lee's claims of self-defense, the prosecution presented a strong case that he had acted with intent to harm Crawford. The guilty plea brought some closure to Crawford's family, who had been deeply affected by the loss of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
