On July 10, 2023, at approximately 7:04 a.m., Durham police responded to a report of a gunshot wound in the 2200 block of NC Highway 54. Upon arrival, officers discovered 55-year-old Johnny Lloyd Banks Jr., a resident of Raleigh, who had been fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Banks, known affectionately as "Mr. Johnny," was a well-regarded member of his community.
Born on April 27, 1968, in Nashville, North Carolina, he graduated from Northern Nash High School in 1986 and later attended Nash Community College. In 2013, he relocated to Raleigh, where he rededicated his life to Christ and became an active member of Transformation Christian Church, serving as Minister of Baptism and a mentor for new members. He was known for his encouraging words and warm smile, often saying, "Chicken is good, God is great" and "God ain't broke, and Heaven ain't bankrupt."
The investigation into Banks's death led to a significant development on December 1, 2023, when 33-year-old Dominique Morgan of Lynchburg, Virginia, was arrested by the Lynchburg Police Department. Morgan was charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Banks's death. He was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop and is currently held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting, and it remains unclear whether Morgan and Banks were acquainted. The Durham Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case. They have urged anyone with additional information to contact Investigator B. Paulhus at (919) 560-4440 ext. 29136 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases, and callers can remain anonymous.
