On January 29, 2023, at about 5:18 a.m., 29-year-old Darryl Rice Jr. was fatally shot during a private party at a rented venue on North Liberty Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. An argument moved outside and culminated in gunfire; police found Rice with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other males, ages 17 and 23, suffered critical injuries and were taken to local hospitals.

Rice, born September 7, 1993, was a father, son, brother and mentor who played centerfield for the amateur Winston-Salem Warthogs for three seasons. The community held a candlelight vigil at Oak Summit Park and a GoFundMe was created to assist his family. No arrests have been announced and authorities have not identified suspects; the Winston-Salem Police Department is investigating and asks anyone with information to call (336) 773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800.

If anyone attended the party or has information about the confrontation that led outside, please contact investigators.