McKinley Beaty Jr., 21, was found dead on February 13, 2014, on N.C. Highway 24 in front of a KFC in Warsaw, North Carolina. An autopsy determined he died of multiple gunshot wounds: four shots to the right chest, one to the right thigh, and six graze wounds to his arms, back and hip.

Investigators linked a vehicle seen on BP station surveillance to the case; footage showed Beaty getting into the backseat and the car travelling on N.C. 24 toward Sampson County. James Earl Newton Jr., 29, was later identified as the driver and was apprehended in Lompoc, California, on March 1, 2014. Newton was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson, later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and first-degree arson, and received a sentence with a minimum of 14 years and 2 months to a maximum of 21 years and 6 months.

While jailed awaiting trial, Newton attempted to ignite towels and sheets in his cell on July 9, 2015, using wiring from earbuds and a battery; the fire damaged the cell door and was extinguished by jail staff.

If anyone knew McKinley Beaty or has information about the events that night, please share what is known.