On May 24, 2023, at about 11:55 p.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire near Northwest Boulevard and Trade Street in Winston-Salem and found 30-year-old Wilmer Rafael Suazo-Montoya lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead at the scene. Preliminary investigators say Suazo-Montoya was specifically targeted in what is described as a drive-by shooting; witnesses reported seeing a vehicle flee immediately after the gunfire. The Winston-Salem Police Department listed this incident as the city’s 25th homicide of 2023.

Born June 17, 1992, Suazo-Montoya’s death has left a void for his family and friends, and funeral services were arranged to honor his memory. As of the latest update, no suspects have been identified and the motive remains unclear. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.

Did anyone in the community see the vehicle that fled or have information about who might have wanted Suazo-Montoya harmed?