Homicide Arrest | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    On Thursday, September 8, 2016 the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting a man shot at 116 Baker Drive in the River Road Estates Mobile Home Park off of River Road in Washington. Deputies along with Troopers from the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene, located the victim and immediately began lifesaving efforts. Emergency medical personnel also responded and continued those lifesaving efforts, but were not able to save the victim. Joshua Rashawn O'Neal, age 22, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.

    Beaufort County Sheriff's Investigators were summoned to the scene to process for physical evidence and interview witnesses. On Friday, September 9, 2016 Investigators received a tip in the case from a Washington Police Department Detective. With assistance from the Washington Police Department, Investigators were able to gather sufficient evidence to locate and charge Jeffery Lamar Sawyer, age 24 of Plymouth, with one count each of Murder, First Degree Burglary and Attempted Robbery with a Dangerous weapon. Sawyer is currently being held without bond in the Beaufort County Detention Center.

    At the time of his arrest Sawyer was wanted by the Washington Police Department for one count each of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, for an incident that occurred on September 3, 2016 in the city limit of Washington.

    After a nearly two month long investigation in this case, on Monday, October 31st, 2016, Beaufort County Sheriff's Investigators also charged Jermaine Anthony Norfleet, age 25 of Greenville NC, Keimon Rashae Blount, age 22 of Plymouth NC and Zaquan Lavon Patrick, age 16 of Greenville NC, with one count each of 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon and First Degree Burglary.


    On Friday, November 3rd, 2016 Jermaine Norfleet was arrested in Greenville by the Greenville Police Department's Violent Fugitive Task Force. Zaquan Patrick who was already in custody was served with the warrants by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Keimon Blount was arrested in Plymouth by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. All three suspects are being held without bond. One more arrest is expected in this case.

• Lieutenant Jim VanLandingham
•     Beaufort County Sheriff's Office