Daquinn Fernando Blount, a 23-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 16, 2018, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Blount, who was originally from Roanoke Rapids but resided in Lithonia, Georgia, was found dead following a shooting incident on Grant Drive at approximately 4 a.m. Another man was also wounded in the shooting and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Halifax County Sheriff, Wes Tripp, stated that investigators had a clear understanding of what happened but were waiting on ballistics tests before filing any charges. During the investigation, a narcotic search warrant was served at the residence, leading to the discovery of 372 grams of marijuana, 10 dosage units of heroin, 84 dosage units of oxycodone, and several items of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation into Blount's death led to the arrest of two individuals, Donovan Malichi Gonsalves, 29, of Georgia, and Czar Claude Luther Celestine, 39, of Brooklyn, New York. Both men were charged with murder in connection to the shooting. Additionally, Marc Anthony Solomon-Cartagena, the 29-year-old resident of the Grant Drive home where the shooting occurred, was charged with accessory after the fact of murder. Investigators believe the incident was drug-related, although they declined to elaborate further. Gonsalves, who was also injured in the shooting, was released from a medical facility, while Celestine was initially charged with drug offenses and obstruction of justice before the murder charges were filed against him and Gonsalves. Both men were reported to be at large and possibly in the areas of New York or Georgia. Solomon-Cartagena had not yet received bond as of the latest reports, and an August 15 court date was set for him.
The tragic death of Daquinn Fernando Blount, a young African American male, highlights the ongoing issues of gun violence and drug-related crimes in communities. The investigation into his murder continues, with law enforcement working diligently to bring those responsible to justice. The community mourns the loss of a young life cut short and hopes for a resolution to this tragic case.
