3 charged, including victim's girlfriend, in death of Spring Lake man

Authorities said a fight call was received at about 3 p.m., reporting an assault in the 300 block of Palomino Lane in Spring Lake.

A few minutes later, a call was received requesting an ambulance for a person in the backyard of a home in the 100 block of Palomino Lane.

Desmond Lima’s Dowdy, 23, of Palomino Lane, was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, where he died of a gunshot wound.

Marque Latray Smith, 24, of Fayetteville, Brandy Marie America, 22, of Spring Lake, and Toby Mitchell McDuffie Jr., 32, of Spring Lake, face charges.

Smith and McDuffie are each charged with first-degree murder, and America is charged with accessory after the fact.

All three are also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Investigators believe that America and the victim were in a relationship but are not sure of a motive at this time.

Officials said Smith and America were taken into custody without incident at America's home around 10:30 p.m.

McDuffie surrendered to police Thursday night.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at 910-893-9111.