Donald Cody Watlington, 27, was found with a single gunshot wound to his back on a sidewalk between two apartment buildings near Center Avenue and Tucker Street in Burlington, North Carolina, on September 30, 2019, at about 10:45 p.m. His death was attributed to that gunshot wound and a murder investigation began immediately.

Burlington police identified 26-year-old Miktu Williams of Burlington as the primary suspect and issued murder warrants charging him with first-degree murder. Williams’ whereabouts were reported as unknown at the time, and police asked the public for help locating him. The investigation also examined the apartment complex’s security, with legal questions raised about whether management had failed to provide adequate protection or had a history of violence.

Watlington was remembered by family and friends as a son, father and friend who loved football, dirt biking, working out and spending time with family. Does anyone who knew Watlington or saw activity near Center Avenue and Tucker Street on the night of September 30, 2019 have information to share?