Olatunji Massey

Olatunji Massey, a 39-year-old Black man known to some as "2 Tunji," is remembered as a funny, outspoken, and witty individual. A father to twin babies, his life was cut short on the day after Christmas in a violent encounter that left his family and community in mourning. He had attended school in the Center Moriches school district in New York before later residing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The night of Saturday, December 26, 2020, was shattered by the sound of gunfire in the 100 block of Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem. At approximately 10:22 p.m., police responded to a call about a shooting. Neighbors later recounted the terrifying moment. "All of a sudden we just heard 'BAM BAM BAM BAM,'" said resident Johnell T. Hunter Sr. "At that time my wife and I didn’t peep out the window or open the door, we just began to pray." When officers arrived, they found Olatunji Massey suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. He was rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, but despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Detectives with the Winston-Salem Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division soon took over the case, piecing together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Investigators revealed that the incident was not a random act of violence. According to police, Massey had been arrested on Christmas Eve following a domestic violence investigation where he was accused of assaulting a woman. He was subsequently released from jail on an unsecured bond. On the night of his death, Massey returned to the home on Highland Avenue.

Upon his return, Massey reportedly found another man inside the residence. An altercation broke out between the two men. During the confrontation, the other man was stabbed multiple times. At some point during the same violent struggle, Massey was shot and killed. "As investigators we have to determine the exact events that surround that shooting death," said Captain Steven Tollie of the Criminal Investigations Division. Police emphasized that they were thoroughly investigating the circumstances to understand the precise sequence of events.

The killing of Olatunji Massey was the 27th homicide in Winston-Salem in 2020, a year that saw 32 homicides by the same date in 2019. The violence left neighbors feeling shaken and heartbroken. Daren Harvey, who lived nearby, expressed his sorrow for Massey's family. "My neighbor, she now has to raise her two twin babies on her own, with the help of a few family members, because the father of her children is now dead," Harvey said. Johnell T. Hunter Sr. called for unity in the face of such tragedy, stating, "We need to come together with love, because that’s the only way we are going to make it in this life."

As of late December 2020, no arrests had been made in connection with Olatunji Massey's death, though police stated they had numerous leads and believed the incident was isolated. Captain Tollie assured the community that the department was dedicating all available resources to the investigation. "Our goal is to absolutely clear all of those homicide investigations to bring answers to the community and to the families of the victims as to what happened and why it happened," he said.

The investigation into the death of Olatunji Massey remains open. Authorities continue to seek information from the public to bring clarity and justice to the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.