Deonte Jamal Pearsall, 23, was shot and killed on June 1, 2017, on Church Street in northern Pender County, near Franklin, North Carolina. During the transaction Pearsall, who was unarmed, allegedly took marijuana from Austin Young and attempted to flee.

Brett Young, armed with an AR-15 rifle, then shot Deonte Pearsall twice in the back from about 40 yards away. After Pearsall was struck, the Young brothers retrieved the marijuana and tried to leave but were detained at gunpoint by an off-duty Wallace police officer. Deonte Pearsall was pronounced dead at the scene and the Pender County Sheriff’s Office arrested Austin and Brett Young.

Anyone who knew Deonte, the Pearsall family, or who has information about the events on Church Street is urged to come forward.