On February 13, 2026, 27-year-old Derek Devol Brandon II was shot and killed in the 2300 block of Quantum Court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Officers found Brandon with gunshot wounds around 11:50 a.m.; he was taken to a local hospital but died despite lifesaving efforts.

Police identified 25-year-old Je’Juan Khyre Watson as a suspect, saying the shooting followed a physical altercation between Watson and Brandon. Watson was located near the scene, taken into custody without incident and charged with felony murder; he appeared before a magistrate and is being held at the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center without bond. The investigation remains active and authorities are seeking information.

Brandon, born December 6, 1998, in Atlanta, lived in High Point. He graduated from New Garden Friends School, earned an Associate Degree in Communications from Guilford Technical Community College and had worked as a certified personal trainer and a package handler at FedEx. He is remembered by family as funny, caring and outgoing.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department.