On September 21, 2024, at approximately 11:51 p.m., Rocky Mount Police Department officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at the intersection of South Grace Street and Clyde Street in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 28-year-old Daquan Williams lying unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the identification of 29-year-old J’von Coley as a suspect in Williams' death. On October 25, 2024, officers secured an arrest warrant for Coley, charging him with murder. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held in the Nash County Jail without bond. At the time of his arrest, Coley was out on bond for several charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm within city limits, stemming from an incident that transpired on August 5.
The tragic death of Daquan Williams has deeply affected the Rocky Mount community, prompting discussions about gun violence and the importance of addressing repeat offenders. Community leaders and law enforcement officials are advocating for increased efforts toward violence prevention and intervention to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Rocky Mount Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety.
