Off-duty Greensboro Police officer killed, 3 charged, chief says. What we know
This story was updated Jan. 1 to reflect new details from arrest warrants.
An off-duty Greensboro police officer was killed Saturday, prompting a statewide Blue Alert to seek the public’s help in finding the suspects.
On Sunday, the Greensboro Police Department announced the name of the killed officer, Sgt. Philip Dale Nix, who had been with the department for 23 years.
The police also announced three suspects had been arrested in association with Nix’s death: Jamere Justice Foster, 18, Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28.
According to the Greensboro Police Department, Foster is charged with first-degree murder, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny and is being held with no bond. His first court appearance is on Tuesday.
Morrison is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny and is held without bond. Blackwell is being held with a $500,000 bond and was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
At a brief news conference Saturday night, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said Nix was at a Sheetz gas station in Colfax around 4 p.m. when he witnessed a crime. Thompson said the officer approached the suspects and was shot. He did not identify the crime Nix witnessed.
Another off-duty Greensboro police officer and Guilford County paramedic were on scene and gave Nix aid, but he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, Thompson said.
Thompson did not take any questions from the media Saturday and did not confirm that the suspects were in custody. The Blue Alert that was issued at 6:10 p.m. was canceled at 7:52 p.m. Sunday, the department said the Winston-Salem Police Department assisted in making the arrests.
Who is the Greensboro police officer who was killed?
Saturday night, an emotional Thompson fought back tears and wiped his eyes several times as he slowly said: “He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department in this community.”
Sunday, police said Nix had served the city for 23 years. He was currently supervisor of the Family Victims Unit and had been a team leader for the department’s peer support team. He also was the current assistant team leader of the GPD Honor Guard.
He served in several departments in his tenure, including Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detective, patrol corporal and patrol sergeant, the department said.
What do arrest warrants say about the shooting?
Nix approached Foster and Morrison Saturday after they had allegedly stolen 10 cases of Modelo beer from the store with a total value of $232.90, according to warrants obtained by The News & Observer.
After Nix approached them, Foster is accused of shooting him, warrants show. Thompson has not said how Thompson may have intervened.
The arrest warrant said Morrison assisted in Foster’s escape after the shooting. He accompanied Foster to sell the stolen beer and purchase drugs. Later, he urged Foster to remove the registration plate from the suspect’s vehicle because “they are hot now.”
Morrison had a pending charge for failing to appear in court. He is also being held with no bond.
According to Blackwell’s arrest warrant, she helped Foster evade arrest after knowing he had committed felony murder. Blackwell allegedly told Foster that “they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop,” warrants said.
Blackwell then joined Foster to sell the beer and buy narcotics, warrants show. She is being held with a $500,000 bond.
What is a Blue Alert?
A Blue Alert is issued when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured or killed and the suspect is considered a threat to others, according to the N.C. Center for Missing Persons. This is the first Blue Alert issued in North Carolina, according to records.
The following information was provided:
- Greensboro Police said they were looking for two men in their early to mid-20s driving west of Greensboro on Interstate 40. The Sheetz gas station is at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax, which is west of Greensboro and not far from Piedmont Triad International Airport.
- They were driving a black Chevrolet Equinox with North Carolina plate KKA-4332. The car also has a Hertz Car Sales plate on the front.
- One of the men is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants with a green and gray winter hat. The other suspect is wearing a jean jacket with gray sweatpants.
Condolences, support for Greensboro Police Department
Gov. Roy Cooper posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken with Thompson Saturday night to offer “all available state resources to catch those who killed a Greensboro police officer.”
“Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones. Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation.”
Thompson was joined by Greensboro Mayor Nancy B. Vaughan at the news conference and thanked several local, state and federal agencies for their support as condolences poured in from police departments and other public officials throughout the state.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is from Greensboro, wrote on X: “Yolanda and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this fallen officer, and the entire Greensboro Police Department. We honor this brave officer for making the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our city. I ask all of North Carolina to join us in lifting the officers’ loved ones and the Greensboro PD up in prayer. Let us recommit to supporting law enforcement in this heartbreaking moment.”
Attorney General Josh Stein said on X: “My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of the Greensboro police officer who was murdered this afternoon. Please join me in praying for them and for the immediate capture of the killers. We owe so much to law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2023 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Off-duty Greensboro Police officer killed, 3 charged, chief says. What we know."