DeQuan Noot Dickens was an 18-year-old African American about to start community college when he was shot and killed on July 12, 2019, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Known to his family as Noot, he had just graduated high school and hoped to become a kindergarten teacher or work with young children.

The shooting occurred during a family gathering on Long Avenue for a niece’s birthday. Multiple bullets were fired through the home’s windows while about 18 people, including babies, were inside; DeQuan was struck and later died of his wounds. The Rocky Mount Police Department has not made an arrest and the case remains unsolved.

DeQuan’s family has created the DeQuan Noot Dickens Memorial Endowed Scholarship for students at Edgecombe Community College, announced on what would have been his 20th birthday, and local leaders and businesses have contributed to the fund.

If anyone was at the Long Avenue gathering or has information about that night, please come forward and share what you know.