Durham Police Arrest Suspect in Ellis Road Murder
DURHAM, NC – A man has been arrested in connection with the March 1 fatal shooting of Monteith Lowery, 27, on Ellis Road. Authorities say the victim was found with a gunshot wound and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Durham Police have charged Derrick Lamont Earls, 26, with felony murder in connection with Lowery’s death.
Fatal Shooting on March 1
At approximately 5:01 a.m. on March 1, 2025, officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound in the 600 block of Ellis Road. Upon arrival, they discovered Lowery suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Suspect Apprehended
On March 13, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested Earls in Burlington, NC, for outstanding warrants unrelated to this case. While he was being processed at the Durham County Jail, investigators obtained a felony murder warrant for Earls in connection with Lowery’s homicide.
Earls is currently being held without bond in the Durham County Jail.
How to Provide Information
Authorities are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information to come forward.
- Call Investigator A. Bongarten at (919) 560-4440 ext. 29529
- Submit a CrimeStoppers tip online at durhamcrimestoppers.org or call (919) 683-1200
CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases. Callers can remain anonymous.
Durham CrimeStoppers
CrimeStoppers is a tip line that allows tipsters to report criminal activity anonymously. It is a partnership between the community, the media, law enforcement agencies, and businesses working together to solve crime. Callers are encouraged, via cash rewards and a promise of anonymity, to provide information leading to the arrest of suspected criminals. Information related to unsolved crimes and wanted persons is distributed to the community via various forms of media. Tipsters are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers and anonymously give any information about the unsolved crime or fugitive. CrimeStoppers forwards the information to the investigating law enforcement agency within Durham County. If the information is used by law enforcement and leads to a felony arrest, the tipster may be eligible to receive a cash reward. Reward payments range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $2,000, depending on the severity of the crime. Visit www.durhamcrimestoppers.org for more information.
Photo: Durham Police Department