Willie Thompson Jr., a 26-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on May 20, 2015, in Burlington, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at the CV Mart located on North Church Street. According to reports, several gunshots were heard in the area, prompting officers to respond. Upon arrival, they observed multiple vehicles fleeing the scene at high speed. One of the vehicles was stopped, and a passenger, James T. Withers, 24, was found with a gunshot wound and transported to Alamance Regional Medical Center. Shortly after, Willie Thompson Jr. arrived at the same medical facility by private vehicle and was pronounced dead upon arrival due to a gunshot wound to the chest.
The investigation revealed that an altercation had taken place at the CV Mart between Thompson, Withers, and other unknown individuals, leading to the exchange of gunfire. The motive behind the shooting and the relationships between those involved remained unclear at the time. The Burlington Police Department, along with the Burlington Fire Department, conducted a thorough investigation into the incident.
Following the initial investigation, warrants were issued for the arrest of Decarlos Barnes, a 21-year-old African American male, who was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Thompson's death. Barnes was eventually apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., and held without bond pending an extradition hearing to return him to North Carolina. Additionally, Talisha Ann Harrison, a 24-year-old African American female, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact of first-degree murder. She was held in the Alamance County jail under a $1,000,000 secured bond.
The case garnered significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the subsequent arrests. The investigation continued as authorities sought to uncover further details and determine the full extent of the events leading to Thompson's death. The community mourned the loss of Willie Thompson Jr., and his family and friends remembered him during funeral services held at Ebenezer United Church of Christ. The tragic incident highlighted the ongoing issues of gun violence and the need for continued efforts to address such crimes in the community.
