Pedro Manzano, a 28-year-old man from Lexington, North Carolina, was tragically found dead from a gunshot wound on July 31, 2019. He was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Manzano was born on September 28, 1990, and was employed at Carter Mill. He is survived by his parents, Ponciano Manzano and Alejandra Carrillo Medina, his companion Serena Phan, and his children Kameron, Graysen, Jayda, Kali, Gianna, and Helena Manzano.
Following the incident, the Lexington Police
Department launched an investigation. On August 2, 2019, 23-year-old Nautica Raquan Smith was arrested and charged with Manzano's murder. Smith was taken into custody at his home on Lillie Drive and was held in the Davidson County Detention Center without bond. Investigators determined that the shooting was not a random act, and evidence suggested that Smith had been at Manzano's home before.
Pedro Manzano's daughter, Jayda, was across the street at a friend's house when she heard the gunshots. She described the sound as something they often heard in the neighborhood, sometimes mistaking it for fireworks. Jayda has since taken on a new role in her family, supporting her mother and siblings in the absence of her father. She has expressed a strong determination to find her father's killer.
The community has been deeply affected by Pedro Manzano's death, with many describing him as a good person and a loving father. The investigation continues, and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Lexington Police Department or the Lexington Area Crime Stoppers.
Pedro Manzano's death has left a significant impact on his family and the community, and efforts to bring justice for him are ongoing.
