Dwante Eugene "Te' the Great" Patterson, a 32-year-old African American man from Salisbury, NC, tragically died on November 29, 2011. Patterson was employed in lawn and landscaping services and was well-known in his community. He is survived by his eight sons and six daughters, as well as his girlfriend of 13 years, Julia Medrano.
Patterson's death was the result of a shooting incident at a home on Mildred Avenue in Salisbury.
According to police reports, 20-year-old Terrell Jamal Bowman, the ex-boyfriend of Patterson's girlfriend, Wendy Lilly, shot Patterson during an argument. Bowman had been at Lilly's home with her children when Patterson arrived and confronted Bowman about assaulting his child the previous week. The argument escalated, and Bowman shot Patterson, who later died at Rowan Regional Medical Center.
Following the incident, Bowman fled the scene in a white Mazda. Warrants for murder were issued for Bowman, and he was eventually arrested. Bowman initially faced charges of first-degree murder, but in 2014, he accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder. Bowman was sentenced to just over 10 years to 13 years in prison.
The case drew significant attention in Salisbury, and the community mourned the loss of Patterson, who was remembered as a loving father and dedicated worker. The incident highlighted issues of domestic violence and the tragic consequences that can arise from such conflicts.
Patterson's family and friends held a Celebration of Life service in his honor, and he was laid to rest in Byers Cemetery. The case remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence on families and communities.
