Dakotah Peanut Redmond, 29, of Tarboro, North Carolina, was found dead from gunshot wounds on October 27, 2019. Deputies from the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office located his body on Church Street after a call at about 7 a.m. The shooting occurred during a social gathering; people had been in the yard of the residence until almost 3 a.m.

Investigators say surveillance footage and social media helped identify 30-year-old Melvin Ray Jones Jr. of Tarboro as a suspect. Jones was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with Redmond’s death. Another man, Travis Draugn, also was shot that night and treated and released from Vidant Edgecombe Hospital.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking the public for information; a $5,000 reward has been offered for tips that lead to an arrest. If anyone has information about what happened that night, please come forward.