King, left, and Ryland.
Detective Jeff Davis declined to comment on what the alleged roles of Keon Detra Ryland and Desmond King were in the murder of Wilton Cotton and the shooting of an unnamed second victim on the afternoon of September 24. “Right now they are sought for questioning and warrants have been obtained for their arrests.”
Both men are known to frequent the South Weldon area known as The Strip, Davis said.
Davis said the surviving victim is improving daily, but some permanent damage is expected.
The police department, Davis said, has issued warrants for the arrest of Ryland, 28, who goes by the nickname Butt-Butt, and lists a Pleasant Hill address, and King, 20, who is from the Weldon area.
The warrants obtained for Ryland are for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, felony conspiracy, going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon in the city limits with full extradition.
King faces the same charges as Ryland with the exception of going armed to to the terror of the people and discharging a firearm in the city limits with full extradition.
Ryland is believed to be armed and dangerous and should be approached with extreme caution.
Roanoke Rapids police Chief Andy Jackson declined comment today when asked if, among the five caught, they had the one who allegedly killed Cotton. He also declined to say why seven people allegedly participated in the murder and shooting. “We consider them to be dangerous people,” he said of Ryland and King. “They need to be located.”
Jackson said Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for their capture.
Ryland, who sometimes uses a birthdate of September 3, 1986, stands between 5 feet, 3 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs around 145 pounds. He wears his hair in flat-top style Afro.
King was believed to have been last seen on The Strip sometime Monday.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
