Apex Shooting Suspect Accused of Previous Homicide

Apex, N.C. — Wake County authorities are searching for a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting in Apex Sunday morning.

Deputies responded to a 911 call around 5 a.m. from a residence on Craig Drive, where they found Demetric Farrar Horton, 31, of 4625 Arrowhead Drive in Apex. Authorities said he was killed by a gunshot wound.

An arrest warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Jamie Antwon Mitchell, 28, of Apex. Authorities said Mitchell was last seen fleeing the area on foot about 5:15 a.m.

Police arrested Irving Cooper of Apex late Sunday evening and charged him with accessory after the fact.

Police and SWAT team officers searched a Cary apartment late Sunday morning after a tipster claimed Mitchell was seen at the Misty Woods apartment complex. No one was found inside the apartment and other residents of the complex were allowed to return after a short evacuation, investigators said.

Authorities said Mitchell, a black male, is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He is believed to still be in the area and is considered armed and dangerous.

Mitchell was arrested in connection with a the slayings of two migrant workers in Morrisville in 1997. He later accepted a plea deal and was convicted of armed robbery. He received a sentence of probation and served no additional jail time.

While awaiting trial, Mitchell was one of the first two students to graduate from the John H. Baker Charter High School at the Wake County Jail. He also received the Presidential Education Award. The school's charter was revoked earlier this month.

Anyone with any information about the suspect should contact the Wake County Sheriff's Office at (919) 856-6800.

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Frank Horton was a very good man who never had trouble with anyone. When things like this happen the first thing that comes to people's mind is drug's. That is so not the case with Frank. He was a great father and husband. He has never been in any kind of trouble, and it's just crazy that people never seem to think about things like that when it comes to the area of a crime or the way a person dies. That is so unfair to judge someone like that. He has worked hard for every thing he had in his life. He was the cousin of my children and a very good friend of mine. We went to school together and even then he was never in trouble. I'm sure he will be greatly missed and we all know he is now in a better place. Even when you try to do right in life people seem to look down on you. Please before you start to place blame, step back, how would you feel if the comments left was about your family. How would you feel?? He was a great person inside and out.WE LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU!!

tdbmonkey
January 23, 2007 2:25 a.m.

This is a sad story. Demetric "Frank" Horton was a father to two young boys, a father, a husband, a son and a FRIEND to all he befriended. We are missing the most key point here a LIFE was taken and there is no excuse. The alleged murderer was given a chance 9 years ago and what did he do take a innocent life. I worked with Frank and he was the most dependable, hardwworking guy I ever met! This is such a terrible day for all who know the Horton family and if you are reading this comment know this was a honest hardworking African American man and as the news will reveal he died doing a honorable thing!

Vaun Overbey and the Best Lab Deals Family

nubian4mysonz
January 22, 2007 5:32 p.m.

PEOPLE NEED TO PROOF READ BEFORE POSTING... IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PERSON OR PERSONS INVOLVE THEN YOU REALLY SHOULD JUST KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF... PEOPLE STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE " OHH THIS IS CAUSED BY BEING ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN,DRUGS,ETC THAT IS THE MOST IGNORANT THING I HAVE EVER HEARD..... NO ONE IS PERFECT AND SOMETIMES WE MAKE BAD DECISIONS/JUDGMENTS. MOST OF US HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE SOMETHING SO AWFUL HAPPENS IN OUR LIVES, SO HAVE SOME RESPECT TOWARDS THE FAMILY/FRIENDS.... IF THATS HARD TO DO THEN TRY PUTTING YOURSELF OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU AND SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS AND OUR SOCIETY IS BASHING YOU AND POSTING IT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE, YOU WOULDNT APPRECIATE THAT, AND YOU WOULD BE UPSET.... SO TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY GOD BE WITH ALL....

islandgirl
January 22, 2007 5:25 p.m.

To...rjgreen50...get your comments correct. Hate to target one person, but this was the most ignorant response yet! I knew both people in this terrible situation. The suspect was non-violent, and his past was self-defense at its best. He has no illegitimate children, he is educated, no promiscuity, no gang relation, he casually drinks, but doesn't do drugs, and the list goes on and on. So don't judge a book by its cover, until you read it!!! Have a good day...from an educated African American woman from APEX. And proud of it.

mssexxy10
January 22, 2007 4:34 p.m.

Where does the madness end. Just last year in the same area on eof my boys was killed and his friend convicted of his murder. Now it seems it's about to happen again. I don't know the full detaisl but I knew them both, and it's a shame that friends are illing each other over stupidness. It's time for it to stop. When you're raised around someeone all your life. How could you havt the audacity to kill them. It just doesn't compute. Both men were evry good people in the community. It a shame that a cloud of death is hanging over the Apex area. I only hope that they will all learn and grow from this experience. We are seeing too many of our brothers dying and killing each other. There needs to be a committment to better the area.But for the meantime, mourn the lost of another 2 brothers in the struggle. This was a tragic mistake and I for one hope that it does stop.

bigherring
January 22, 2007 2:56 p.m.