Durham Police Make Arrests in Fayetteville Street Homicide

DURHAM, NC – Durham Police investigators have arrested and charged two people in connection with the murder of Taqon Jayshon Blake, 21, of Durham, that occurred on Fayetteville Street last month.

At approximately 3:44 p.m. on September 27, 2023, officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound in the 1300 block of Fayetteville Street. When officers arrived, they found Blake had been shot. EMS responded, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators have charged Messiah King Harvin-Cleveland, 22, of Durham, with first-degree murder and Tia Sonee Howell, 27, of Durham, with accessory after the fact. Both are currently in the Durham County Jail. Harvin-Cleveland has no bond, and Howell has a secured bond of $500,000.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call Investigator J. Flamion at 919-560-4440 ext. 29123 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases, and callers never have to identify themselves.