Deonte Bethea was a 20-year-old African American man who was shot and killed on February 9, 2014, in Lumberton, North Carolina. His death has been treated as a homicide and remains an open investigation with no arrests or new suspects reported.

Bethea’s name also appeared in earlier legal proceedings connected to a separate 2012 killing of Ronnie Glenn Martin. Defense attorneys for Orlando Gaddy, who was tried for Martin’s murder, argued that Bethea had been involved in an altercation with Martin when the fatal shots were fired. Gaddy was later found not guilty, and the defense contended Bethea had been misidentified as the perpetrator. Bethea himself was murdered in 2014, leaving unresolved questions about both incidents.

Anyone with information about Deonte Bethea, his movements in Lumberton, or either shooting is asked to come forward.