Two men face charges in a second-degree murder that in November was initially reported as a suicide, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said in a statement this evening.
After consulting with the district attorney’s office and after extensive investigation into the death of Brittany Smith, warrants were obtained for the arrest of her boyfriend, Demonte Saquon Johnson, 30, and Patrick Lequan Banks, 27. Both men are from Roanoke Rapids and neither have been taken into custody.
A second-degree murder charge was issued for Johnson and felony obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact charges were lodged for Banks.
In the gallery: Banks, left, and Johnson
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Guyant said both men at the time of Smith’s death on November 26 around midnight, a Sunday, said her death from a single gunshot wound was suicide.
Both Johnson and Banks were at her residence at the time of her death.
Guyant said during the crime scene examination, several critical pieces of evidence related to the death of Smith were recovered.
Furthermore, during a medical examiner’s examination, information supported the conclusion that Smith’s death was not a suicide.
After consulting with the district’s attorney’s office, the decision was made to issue the second-degree murder warrant for Johnson and due to obstructing statements and acts of concealment, warrants were issued for Banks.
Guyant would not disclose specific details of the case but did say evidence was collected through search warrants of phones and the residence on Georgia Avenue as well as interviews.
The police chief said that Johnson and Banks tend to frequent areas of Roanoke Rapids.
Anyone who has information on their whereabouts or additional information on the case is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at this link
