On February 13, 2026, a fatal shooting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, resulted in the death of 27-year-old Derek Devol Brandon II. The incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. in the 2300 block of Quantum Court. When Winston-Salem police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Brandon suffering from gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries despite lifesaving efforts.
Investigators with the Winston-Salem
Police Department quickly identified a suspect in connection with the shooting. Je'Juan Khyre Watson, 25, was located near the scene and taken into custody without incident. According to police, the shooting was not a random act of violence but rather stemmed from a physical altercation that had occurred between Brandon and Watson prior to the shooting.
Following his arrest, Je'Juan Khyre Watson was charged with felony murder. He appeared before a magistrate and is currently being held at the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center without bond. The investigation into the death of Derek Devol Brandon II remains active, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Derek Devol Brandon II, born on December 6, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, was a resident of High Point, North Carolina. He was a graduate of New Garden Friends School, where he was a speaker for his graduating class, and later earned an Associate Degree in Communications from Guilford Technical Community College, making the Dean's List. He was remembered as a funny, caring, and outgoing individual who was a natural leader with charisma and compassion. He had a passion for sports, particularly basketball, which he began playing at a young age. He had worked as a certified personal trainer at Planet Fitness and for the last two years as a package handler at FedEx, where he was recognized for his strong work ethic.
