Montez Brandon, 25, was fatally shot on December 24, 2016, in the 3000 block of Ivey Wood Lane in Durham, North Carolina. He was taken to a local hospital and died shortly after arrival; a second man was also injured in the same shooting, which occurred around 4:30 p.m.

Investigators opened a homicide inquiry into Brandon’s death. The same night saw the death of Usha Chatman in a separate incident; two men, Elijah Hosea Everett and Mychal Quinton Todd Mercer, were arrested and charged in Chatman’s killing. A close friend of Brandon, Hakeem Hubbard, was also arrested and charged in Chatman’s death, and Hubbard’s mother said he called her that night saying he had found Brandon already deceased.

Police have not confirmed a direct link between the two murders; the proximity in time and place has prompted questions as the investigation continues. Anyone with information about the shooting on Ivey Wood Lane is asked to contact investigators.