Danny McGriff Jr., a 39-year-old African American male, was found dead on July 27, 2016, at the Relax Inn in Monroe, North Carolina. He had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. on July 26, 2016, when officers responded to a call regarding a shooting at the motel. Witnesses reported hearing the gunshot and seeing McGriff on the ground.
The investigation led to the arrest of four individuals: Demetress Leandra Bennett, a 23-year-old African
American female from Wadesboro, North Carolina; Jarvis Dakota Miller, a 27-year-old African American male; Robert Cordara Hood, a 27-year-old African American male; and Charles Denziele Hunt, a 21-year-old African American male, all from Monroe, North Carolina. The suspects were charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Additionally, Miller faced charges of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The police believe that McGriff was shot with a rifle, although the caliber was not disclosed. The suspects allegedly took an undisclosed amount of cash from McGriff, but it was unclear if he had a wallet, as none was found at the scene. The Monroe Police Department, assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, worked diligently to solve the case, leading to the arrests two days after the incident.
All four suspects were held without bond in the Union County Jail and were scheduled to appear in court on August 18, 2016. Online court records revealed that Bennett had several pending charges in Union County, including misdemeanor counts of simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and resisting a public officer, as well as a felony count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. She also had pending traffic violations in both Anson and Union counties. Miller had a history of criminal charges dating back to 2012, including possession of a firearm by a felon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and larceny of a motor vehicle. Hood had prior convictions on drug, weapon, and robbery charges dating back to 2007, while Hunt had no other pending charges or prior convictions.
The case highlighted the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing the suspects to justice and underscored the importance of community involvement in solving such crimes. The investigation into McGriff's death continued as authorities sought to uncover more details about the motive and circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
