Ali Iquan Dameish Rouse, a 21-year-old African American male, was found dead at the scene of a car wreck on Market Street in Wilmington, NC, on August 18, 2015. The incident occurred after a domestic dispute between Rouse and Montrell Dyshawn Sweet, a 22-year-old male from Wilmington. According to Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, the dispute took place in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Market Street.
Sweet approached the vehicle in which Rouse and a woman were seated, exchanged words, and then fired several shots at Rouse, who was still in the car. Rouse attempted to drive away but crashed the car a few blocks away, where he was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, who had exited the vehicle at the apartment complex, was not injured during the dispute or shooting.
Montrell Dyshawn Sweet was charged with first-degree murder and discharging a firearm into occupied property causing serious bodily injury. Sweet turned himself in to the police headquarters shortly after the incident. During a press conference, Chief Evangelous emphasized that the shooting was not gang-related but stemmed from a domestic dispute. However, both the victim and the suspect reportedly had some gang affiliations. Sweet made his first appearance in New Hanover County District Court and was assigned to the state's capital defender's office. He was held at the New Hanover County Jail without bond.
In 2017, Montrell Dyshawn Sweet pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and firing into an occupied structure in connection with the killing of Ali Iquan Dameish Rouse. The plea deal resulted in a reduced charge from first-degree murder to second-degree murder. The case highlighted the impact of domestic disputes and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully to prevent such tragic outcomes. The Wilmington Police Department continued to monitor the situation to prevent any potential retaliation or further violence related to the incident.
