On March 1, 2024, at approximately 1 a.m., Albemarle Police Department officers responded to a welfare check in the 500 block of Elizabeth Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered 47-year-old Duane Lamont Perry, a resident of Albemarle, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Investigations revealed that Perry was a visitor at the residence where the incident occurred.
Following the initial investigation, authorities identified 49-year-old Otis Eugene Burns as the primary suspect in Perry's death. Consequently, warrants were issued for Burns's arrest on charges including first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling.
The day after the incident, on March 2, 2024, Burns turned himself in to law enforcement. He was subsequently taken into custody and held at the Stanly County Jail. This case marked the first homicide in Albemarle since September 2023.
In the months leading up to his death, Perry had a notable encounter with law enforcement. On September 28, 2023, he was arrested and charged with assault on a female in Albemarle.
The investigation into Perry's death was conducted by the Albemarle Police Department, which urged anyone with additional information to come forward. Community members were encouraged to contact the department directly or provide anonymous tips to assist in the ongoing investigation.
