Marquise Dijon Perry, a 27-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on November 14, 2019, in Nashville, North Carolina. The incident occurred during an apparent armed robbery at the Oak Tree Apartments. Responding officers found Marquise Perry dead from a gunshot wound. His girlfriend was found bound with zip ties, and her 12-year-old son was also present but unharmed.
The motive behind the robbery was linked to a large amount of cash that Marquise Perry was seen with, which led to the fatal encounter.
The investigation into Marquise Perry's death led to the arrest of Antwan Ray Hawkins, a 35-year-old male from Charlotte, North Carolina. Hawkins faced charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony breaking and entering. Another suspect, Montreal Tyrek Cooper, a 20-year-old male from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was also implicated in the crime but was not in custody at the time. Cooper and Perry were known to each other, and Cooper had seen Perry with a large amount of cash, which he then communicated to Hawkins. The robbery was planned, but it turned deadly when Perry was shot during the confrontation.
The Nashville Police Department, led by Police Chief Anthony Puckett, received a tip on December 9, 2019, that linked Hawkins and Cooper to Perry's death. Hawkins was interviewed and taken into federal custody for a probation violation. Cooper, who confessed to the crime and knew details that were not made public, remained at large. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in locating Cooper. Despite the challenges, the investigation continued with the dedication of the Nashville Police Department, which sought to bring closure to the Perry family.
Efforts to gather evidence included a search of the Tar River at the Lamon's Ferry Bridge, following an anonymous tip. Although no evidence was recovered, the police remained committed to solving the crime. A reward was offered for information leading to an arrest, and the community was urged to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation. The case highlighted the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and the determination to bring justice for Marquise Perry and his family.
