On August 19, 2023, at approximately 8:06 p.m., officers from the Rocky Mount Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the 1300 block of Westwood Drive, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 30-year-old Marquis Tyshawn Lee Farmer suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Nash County ABC Store located at 1322 Westwood Drive. Despite emergency medical efforts, Farmer succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Investigations revealed that an altercation had erupted inside the liquor store between Farmer and two individuals. The dispute escalated and continued into the parking lot, where Farmer was fatally shot. Authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspects involved in the incident.
The primary suspect, identified as 22-year-old Zyon Rasheem Betts from Prince William County, Virginia, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is currently held at the Nash County Jail without bond. Additionally, 31-year-old Rocky Mount resident, Pierre Antoine Tucker, was arrested and charged with felony accessory after the fact. Tucker is detained at the Nash County Jail under a $250,000 secured bond.
Farmer, a resident of Rocky Mount, had been striving to turn his life around through boxing, training diligently at a local gym. He was known for his dedication to the sport and his commitment to providing a better future for his four children. His untimely death has left a void in the community, with family and friends mourning the loss of a man who was actively working to make positive changes in his life.
The Rocky Mount Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They have urged anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
