Stephone Lavare Perry, known for his infectious smile and the deep love he held for his family, was a cherished member of the Franklinton, North Carolina community. Born on December 22, 1987, the 38-year-old was a devoted father to his children and a beloved son, brother, and friend. Those who knew him recall a man who brought joy and positivity into their lives, someone whose presence was a source of comfort and happiness.
His life was built around the simple pleasures of family gatherings and shared moments, creating a legacy of love that his family continues to hold dear.
The sense of peace in his community was shattered in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, October 10, 2026. At approximately 3:50 a.m., the Franklin County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting a shooting on the 200 block of Carver Street, an area just outside the Franklinton town limits. When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau. Two men had been shot. One was Stephone Perry; the other was his friend, 43-year-old Keith Leonard Sneed. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene from their gunshot wounds, their lives tragically cut short.
Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White described the double homicide as an isolated incident, but the violent act sent ripples of shock and grief through the tight-knit community. "Two lives needlessly ended far too soon," the sheriff stated, lamenting the senseless loss. The investigation was immediately launched by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the events that led to the deaths of Perry and Sneed.
Within days, the investigation yielded two arrests. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, authorities took Duline Marie Singletary, a resident of Franklinton, into custody. The following morning, investigators arrested the primary suspect, Demetrius Alexander Brodie, who was also from Franklinton. The breakthrough brought a small measure of relief to a community on edge, but it also deepened the tragedy as the alleged perpetrator was a local resident.
Brodie was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Stephone Perry and Keith Sneed. Singletary faced a charge of felony accessory after the fact. According to arrest warrants, Singletary allegedly assisted Brodie in his attempt to escape by providing him with a ride away from the area immediately after the shooting. She appeared in a Franklin County courtroom on Thursday, October 15, where she was formally charged and denied bond. Brodie was scheduled for his first court appearance the next day to face the murder charges.
In the midst of their profound grief, the families of Stephone Perry and Keith Sneed came together to honor the two men. A public viewing for Stephone was held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Greater New Life Church of Christ in Franklinton, allowing friends and community members to pay their final respects. A joint funeral service for both men was held the following day, Saturday, October 24, at the Franklinton Elementary School Gymnasium. The large crowd that gathered was a testament to the many lives the two men had touched. Following the service, Stephone was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.
As of late October 2026, the criminal cases against Demetrius Brodie and Duline Singletary were just beginning to move through the North Carolina court system. For the families of Stephone Perry and Keith Sneed, the legal process represented a long and painful road ahead. The community continues to mourn the loss of two of its own, while the Franklin County Sheriff's Office remains the primary agency for the ongoing case.
