Darrius Pierre Lassiter, a 29-year-old African American male from Apex, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on December 12, 2019, in Clayton, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Durham and Hobbs streets in Clayton. Witnesses reported that a group of men were arguing when one of them, later identified as Lassiter, was shot in the chest. After being shot, Lassiter fled the scene in a black SUV, which veered across U.S.
70, hit a ditch, and rolled into a field. The vehicle came to a stop near a large industrial building. Lassiter then stumbled across the street to a Speedway gas station at the corner of U.S. 70 and Powhatan Road, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Lassiter's death led to the arrest of Jairus Leshon Anderson, an 18-year-old male from Raleigh, North Carolina. Anderson was charged with homicide on the evening of December 12, 2019. Additionally, a juvenile female was taken into custody, with charges against her pending. Authorities were also searching for a third suspect in connection with the case.
Further developments in the investigation revealed that a second man, Antoine Dwayne Spates, a 39-year-old male from Jacksonville, North Carolina, was also arrested and charged with murder in connection with Lassiter's death. Spates was brought in for questioning late on December 15, 2019, and subsequently charged. The juvenile female remained in protective custody, with charges still pending against her.
The tragic death of Darrius Pierre Lassiter has left a lasting impact on the community, as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal shooting. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement officials working diligently to bring all responsible parties to justice.
