Darieen Marquise Hewett, a 26-year-old Black man from Raleigh, North Carolina, was fatally shot on November 25, 2025, during what police describe as a workplace shooting at Onward Safety Solutions, a traffic-control company in the city’s Brier Creek area. Officers were called just after 5 p.m. to the business on Mount Herman Road, where they found Hewett suffering from at least one gunshot wound; he was rushed to a hospital but died from his injuries later that day.
Investigators say the violence unfolded inside the business after an argument between coworkers. Witnesses told local media that a man entered an office and shot a colleague, and that workers who knew both men were stunned that whatever dispute existed between them escalated into deadly gunfire. Employees in nearby businesses reported hearing a single gunshot, then seeing people running and vehicles quickly leaving the area, underscoring how sudden and chaotic the incident was.
Hewett’s death has been described by loved ones and community members as a devastating loss. An online tribute portrays him as a bright, dedicated worker at Onward Safety Solutions, known for his positivity, reliability, and genuine care for coworkers. Friends and family recall his humility and ambition, his willingness to lend a hand, and the warmth he brought to everyday interactions. The obituary notes that he was building a future for himself and had goals and dreams he was only beginning to realize, making the abrupt end to his life particularly painful for those who knew him.
Raleigh police quickly identified a suspect in the shooting: 26-year-old Damouri Jontae Woods, a coworker of Hewett’s at Onward Safety Solutions. Woods was arrested and charged with murder soon after the incident; authorities say the shooting stemmed from the argument at the workplace, though they have not publicly detailed exactly what the two men were disputing. In his first court appearance, Woods was appointed an attorney, and prosecutors indicated that, if he is convicted, he could face the death penalty under North Carolina law. A subsequent court date was scheduled for mid-December as the case moves through the legal system.
While the criminal proceedings continue, Raleigh police have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and have asked anyone with additional information to contact the department or submit tips through CrimeStoppers. Public records listing Hewett among Raleigh’s 2025 gun-violence victims, along with online memorials and condolence messages, reflect a community grappling with the shock of losing a young coworker, friend, and family member to a moment of lethal workplace conflict.
