In the early afternoon of February 15, 2026, the life of 33-year-old Marquel Dior Echols was tragically cut short in Greensboro, North Carolina. Emergency services were dispatched to the 2100 block of Joseph McNeil Avenue at approximately 12:40 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Echols suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite any efforts to render aid, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Greensboro Police Department promptly launched a homicide investigation into the incident, which marked the second homicide in the city for the year 2026.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, details were scarce, and the Greensboro Police Department initially did not release any information regarding a potential suspect or motive, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The investigation into Echols' death was described as active and ongoing. An obituary for Marquel "Pooh" Dior Echols was later posted by Serenity Funeral Home & Cremations, indicating that arrangements for a celebration of his life were still being made.
A significant development in the case came on February 19, 2026, when authorities located and arrested a suspect in the neighboring city of Winston-Salem. The Greensboro Police Department, in a collaborative effort with the Winston-Salem Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the State Bureau of Investigation, took Jamel Shannon Kinzer into custody. Following his arrest, Kinzer was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Marquel Dior Echols. In addition to the murder charge, he also faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and interfering with emergency communications. Kinzer is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues.
