Malcom Jerome Melvin, a 23-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on October 28, 2014, in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. The incident occurred at a mobile home on Sammy Lane, located in a park off N.C. 242 south of Elizabethtown. According to authorities, Melvin was shot in the head shortly before 2:30 a.m. when he opened his front door.
His girlfriend and a child were present in the home at the time of the shooting but were not injured.
The investigation into Melvin's death led to the arrest of two suspects: Twasjay Roddreek Brown and Ernest Raysean Gray. Brown, 23, of Elizabethtown, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was also found guilty of discharging a weapon into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon. Gray, 26, of Clarkton, was also convicted of first-degree murder and received the mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Gray was additionally found guilty of firing a weapon into an occupied property.
The trial revealed that Melvin awoke to loud knocks at his door and was shot when he opened it. Twelve gunshots were fired into the home from a 9-millimeter handgun and a .45 caliber firearm, with one shot striking Melvin in the head and killing him instantly. Detectives discovered a cell phone belonging to Brown and a wallet with Gray's identification near the crime scene. The evidence collected led to the successful prosecution of both suspects, bringing some measure of justice to Melvin's family and community.
