Daiquan Evander Jacobs, a 23-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on May 10, 2020, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jacobs was shot while driving on Eastwood Road, causing him to crash into a tree on Oleander Drive, where he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred around noon, and it was later revealed that Jacobs was targeted in a gang-related shooting.
The bullet that struck him came through the rear of his Mercedes Benz, hitting him in the back and leading to the fatal crash.
Following the incident, three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with Jacobs' death. Montaisha Sutton, 18, Dequan Mullins, 18, and Tyquan Mallette, 19, were all charged with first-degree murder. Mullins, who fired the shots from the backseat of a Hyundai Sonata, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Mallette, who was sitting in the front seat, pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact to First-Degree Murder and is currently serving a 9 1/2-year sentence. Sutton's trial is scheduled for April.
The Wilmington Police Department conducted surveillance during Jacobs' funeral on May 16, 2020, due to concerns about potential violence. During the surveillance, officers observed an orange Mustang stop in an intersection, and a man wearing a ski mask and armed with an AK-47 exited the vehicle. The police quickly intervened and arrested three men, including Jeremiah Thompson, 21, who was charged with armed to the terror of the public. The other two individuals were charged with various drug offenses.
Jacobs' death and the subsequent arrests highlight the ongoing issue of gang violence in Wilmington. The community continues to grapple with the impact of this tragic event and the broader implications of gang-related activities in the area.
