Police Step Up Search For Clues In 8-Month-Old Quadruple Homicide

DURHAM, N.C. — No arrests in the execution-style slayings of four men does not indicate a lack of progress in the case, Durham authorities said this week.

In fact, investigators are closer than ever to making an arrest in the Nov. 19 deaths of Lennis Harris, Jonathon Skinner, Juan Coleman and Jamel Holloway, police Chief Steve Chalmers said.

"We have a good idea of who we're looking for and, honestly, at this particular point, are in the final stages of bringing it all together," he said.

Eight months after the four men were found shot to death, police are still collecting information, stepping up its search and canvassing an area near Cheek Road and Hardee Street -- miles away from where the victims were found in a townhouse of the Breckenridge subdivision Alpine Drive.

About 30 officers, including some from the Greensboro Police Department, were out in the Cheek Road area going door-to-door for about two hours Thursday handing out fliers.

Investigators believe the victims used to hang out in the area and had several acquaintances there. It is also where, two weeks after the crime, police received a tip about a car used in the crime, which belonged to a man living at an apartment complex on Cheek Road.

Authorities interviewed the car's owner, but still, no one has been arrested in the case. Investigators have said little else about the slayings other than that they were probably drug-related and not random.

Victims' relatives, however, have said they question investigators' beliefs that drugs were involved and wonder whether enough attention has been given to the investigation.

Lennis Harris Sr., the father of one of the victims, told WRAL on Thursday that police have told him before that they are getting close to an arrest, and that until a suspect is in custody, he would not be getting up his hopes.

"It's hard to say," Harris said. "We're hoping with all our hearts that this is coming to an end soon."

Chalmers, though, said in recent months, more resources have been allocated to the case and that officers have been working meticulously to get details of the investigation correct.

"We just want to -- again -- assure everyone that we will be clearing the case," he said.

Forensic investigators spent days collecting evidence from the crime scene and recovered a handgun, ammunition and bloody clothing from one of two survivors.

After the shootings, witnesses have said they saw three men running from the townhouse.

Authorities are offering up to $13,000 for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for the homicides.

Investigators urge anyone with information about the case to contact the Durham Police Department at 919-560-4440, ext. 259 or Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.