The shooting death of Wake County Sheriff’s Deputy Ned Byrd: What we know
Wake County Sheriff’s Deputy Ned Byrd was found dead outside his unmarked Sheriff’s Office SUV early in the morning of Friday, Aug. 12, after he had responded to a call hours earlier.
The 48-year-old K-9 officer had been shot multiple times near a gas station in rural southeastern Wake County.
Authorities have charged Arturo Marin Sotelo, 29, of Apex and his younger brother, Alder Alfonso Marin Sotelo, 25, with murder in Byrd’s death.
As of Wednesday, here are facts. This story will continue to be updated.
Timeline of the shooting
Thursday, Aug. 11, shortly after 11 p.m. — Byrd, a 13-year department veteran, responds to a domestic incident in southeastern Wake County. After deputies respond to a call, they typically pull off to a safe location and enter their notes from the incident, which Byrd did, the Sheriff’s Office said.
At some point, dispatch tries to check in with Byrd, but he didn’t respond, according to the office.
Friday, Aug. 12, shortly before 1 a.m. — Byrd, who was wearing a protective vest, is found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in a rural area near a gas station on Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads. His canine partner, Sasha, is still in the unmarked SUV.
The search for a suspect
Monday, Aug. 15 — The Sheriff’s Office releases images of what appears to be a light-colored truck caught by the deputy’s dashboard camera. The N.C. Sheriff’s Association offers a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
- Tuesday, Aug. 16 — Arturo Marin Sotelo and another man are taken into federal custody in Burke County “on federal detainers unrelated to the Byrd homicide,” the Wake County Sheriff’s Office says. According to radio traffic, they were “both believed to be suspects” in Byrd’s shooting.
Wednesday, Aug. 17 — Law enforcement officers in Winston-Salem seize a red truck believed to be linked to the shooting and bring it back to Wake County.
Thursday, Aug. 18 — Arturo Marin Sotelo is charged with murder in Byrd’s death. The Sheriff’s Office confirms he is one of the men arrested in Burke County and says more arrests are expected. A judge denies him bail. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says she will decide in the next 90 days whether her office will seek the death penalty or life in prison in the case.
Friday, Aug. 19 - Byrd is remembered in a well-attended funeral service at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh.
Tuesday, Aug. 23 - Alder Alfonso Marin Sotelo, brother of Arturo Marin-Sotelo, is indited on a murder charge in Byrd’s death.
Funeral and Memories of Ned Byrd
Due to the large law enforcement turnout, a livestream of the funeral is available on the Mitchell Funeral Home’s website.
“He lived his life to the fullest, he was helpful, kind, and very much loved,” Byrd’s obituary states. “Ned was a friend to all, and family to many.”
In lieu of flowers, Byrd’s obituary requests that all memorials be directed in Deputy Byrd’s name to Spike’s K9 Fund.
This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 10:08 AM with the headline "The shooting death of Wake County Sheriff’s Deputy Ned Byrd: What we know."