DeQuan Noot Dickens, an 18-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on July 12, 2019, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. DeQuan, affectionately known as "Noot" by his family, had just graduated from high school a month prior and was planning to enroll in community college in the fall. He had aspirations of becoming a kindergarten teacher or pursuing another career involving young children.
On the night of his death, DeQuan was celebrating his niece's birthday at a family member's home on Long Avenue. The joyous occasion turned into a nightmare when multiple bullets were fired through the windows of the house, which was filled with 18 people, including babies. DeQuan was struck by one of the bullets and succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into DeQuan's murder has been challenging for the Rocky Mount Police Department. Despite their efforts, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. DeQuan's family, particularly his mother, Demeka Johnson, has been vocal in their plea for justice. They have expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation and the frequency of shootings in the city, which they believe has overwhelmed law enforcement resources. The same week DeQuan was killed, another young man, Daniel Pierce, was murdered in a separate shooting, and later that month, Dominic Baker, a family friend, was also killed.
In the aftermath of DeQuan's death, his family has taken steps to honor his memory and keep his legacy alive. They established the DeQuan "Noot" Dickens Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students attending Edgecombe Community College, with a preference for those pursuing careers in education or criminal justice. The scholarship was officially announced on what would have been DeQuan's 20th birthday, and the family continues to hold events to raise awareness and funds for the scholarship.
The community has rallied around DeQuan's family, with local leaders and businesses contributing to the scholarship fund. Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson pledged to donate half of his 2021 salary to support the scholarship, and DeQuan's former boss at Burger King also helped kickstart the fund. Despite the outpouring of support, the pain of losing DeQuan remains, and his family continues to seek answers and justice for his untimely death.
