On November 1, 2024, at approximately 3:10 a.m., 20-year-old Tyrius Ray'Quan McDougald was fatally shot at his residence on WH McLean Lane in Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Harnett County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a shooting and discovered McDougald with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an investigation, authorities identified 25-year-old Santez Montreal McDougald, also of Bunnlevel, as a suspect. On November 8, 2024, a warrant was issued for his arrest, charging him with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony conspiracy. He was apprehended on November 9, 2024, and is currently held without bond at the Harnett County Detention Center.
Court documents allege that Santez McDougald robbed Tyrius McDougald of $50 during the incident. The relationship between the victim and the suspect has not been publicly disclosed, and it remains unclear if they are related. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 910-893-0140 or their tip line at 910-893-0300.
Tyrius Ray'Quan McDougald was born on August 11, 2004. He is survived by his parents, Theresa Diane McDougald and Mitchell Brandon McDougald, and his sister, Tiana Michelle McDougald. A public viewing was held on November 12, 2024, at Dafford Funeral Home in Dunn, North Carolina, followed by a graveside service on November 13, 2024, at McLean Cemetery in Bunnlevel.
The tragic death of Tyrius McDougald has deeply affected the Bunnlevel community, highlighting concerns over violent crime in the area. As the legal process unfolds, family and friends seek justice and closure for the loss of a young life.
