On October 25, 2023, at approximately 1:02 p.m., deputies from the Bertie County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound on Pine Street in Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 23-year-old Demetrice Raquawn Futrell deceased at the scene.
Following the incident, investigators from the Bertie County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, launched a comprehensive investigation. Their efforts led to the identification of 19-year-old Michael Thompson, also from Lewiston Woodville, as the primary suspect in Futrell's death.
On November 10, 2023, Thompson was apprehended in Hampton, Virginia, by the Hampton Police Department's SWAT team in collaboration with Bertie County Sheriff's Office investigators. He was subsequently charged with the murder of Demetrice Futrell. Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin expressed deep concern over the involvement of young individuals in such violent acts, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement and community leaders to implement proactive strategies aimed at reducing gun violence in Bertie County.
The arrest of Thompson underscores the dedication of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to address and mitigate violent crime within the community. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Futrell's death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather information to ensure justice is served.
