Charlie Cook Debnam, a 31-year-old African American man, was killed on July 31, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was taking a break from his volunteer duties with the Helping Hand Mission and crossed the street to buy a Gatorade when he was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between two cars at about 7:30 p.m. in the 700 block of Rock Quarry Road. Reports say Debnam was an innocent bystander and not the intended target.

Debnam was a drum major and active volunteer with the Helping Hand Mission, noted for his leadership in the organization’s marching band and his positive influence on at-risk youth. The executive director, Sylvia Wiggins, and family members, including his aunt Michelle Debnam, described his death as senseless and marked it as a significant loss for the community.

Authorities later apprehended a suspect, 29-year-old Marcus Walton, in Revere, Massachusetts; he was found hiding in a fifth-floor apartment and attempted to jump from a window when officers arrived. He was taken into custody and is expected to be extradited to Wake County to face a murder charge. Does anyone have information about the shooting or remember seeing activity near Rock Quarry Road that evening?