A weekend night in downtown Wilmington turned deadly when a Camp Lejeune Marine was fatally stabbed during a chaotic early-morning brawl, and now police say they have their suspect. Officers arrested 47-year-old Davy Spencer on Saturday after a multi-day investigation into the April 5 incident that left 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano dead. The arrest, announced April 11, has sharpened public scrutiny of downtown safety and how police handled the mayhem captured on video.
Suspect Charged After Downtown Fight
Wilmington police have charged Spencer with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, according to WECT. Court records and local reporting indicate officers were called to the 100 block of North Front Street shortly after 2 a.m. on April 5. Montano was rushed to a hospital and later died despite life-saving efforts, Port City Daily reports. The charges follow a five-day probe by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.
Video Of Scene Raises Questions About Response
A short, widely shared video from the scene has become a flashpoint in the aftermath. The clip shows officers using pepper spray as a bystander strips off his shirt and presses it to a bleeding man, later identified as Montano. At a media availability, Wilmington Police Chief Ryan Zuidema defended his officers, saying, “They have no idea who is who” and emphasizing how multiple fights were unfolding at once, according to WHQR. The footage has fueled criticism from some community members and renewed calls for clarity on how officers triage medical emergencies during street brawls.
Police Seek Person Seen In Surveillance Photos
Investigators are still looking for more answers. Wilmington police have released surveillance images of a “person of interest” and are asking anyone who was downtown between midnight and 3 a.m. to share photos or video that might help. The man is described as a medium-build Black male wearing a light fleece-lined denim jacket, a pink shirt and white sneakers, according to WITN. The department is gathering tips through a secure digital evidence portal and is asking witnesses to contact detectives at 910-343-3686.
Separate Stabbing Prompts Second Arrest
As officers dealt with the fight that left Montano mortally wounded, they were called just a block away to another stabbing minutes later. That second attack left a 22-year-old woman with life-threatening injuries, and investigators say the two incidents do not appear to be connected. Police arrested 20-year-old Jazya Muldrow-Green in the second case and charged her with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, according to Port City Daily. City officials say they are planning a stepped-up law enforcement presence at downtown events this spring.
Family And Community Respond
On the corner of Front and Princess streets, a small makeshift memorial of flags and flowers has appeared as friends, fellow Marines and residents come by to pay respects, according to local coverage. Montano’s sister, identified as Evelyn on a fundraiser page, wrote that he was “not only dedicated to his country, but also deeply loved by his family,” as reported by AOL and local outlets. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, and the Marine Corps has issued condolences while the investigation continues.
What Comes Next
Spencer is being held without bond and is scheduled for an initial court appearance in New Hanover County on Monday, according to court records and local reporting. Prosecutors will review the investigative file and decide whether to seek formal indictments; for now, the charges include second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, according to WHQR. Police are urging anyone with additional information or footage to contact Wilmington detectives through the department’s tip line or the secure evidence portal.
