Douglas Waters was a 32-year-old Black father from Akron, Ohio, remembered by family as a devoted parent and mentor with an infectious sense of humor. In the early morning hours of November 22, 2024, about a week before his 33rd birthday, two men forced their way into the Wren Walk apartment where Waters was staying with his girlfriend. The couple was in bed when the intruders broke in; Waters was shot multiple times and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:53 a.m.

According to police, the attack was not random. Waters’ girlfriend identified the intruders as her sister’s boyfriend, DeVionne Bigby, and his friend, Gerald Wilson, and said Wilson fired the shots. Officers found Wilson shortly afterward with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and took him into custody after he received medical treatment; Bigby was arrested hours later. Both men were charged with murder, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault.

Waters’ sudden death devastated his family, who described him as a bright light who loved being a dad and helping others. Does anyone who knew Douglas or who was in the Wren Walk area that night have information that could help investigators?