Raleigh man in custody for fatally stabbing coworker with metal rod

A 43-year-old Raleigh man is in custody for fatally stabbing a coworker with a metal rod early Tuesday morning in Knightdale.

According to Knightdale police, officers responded to a fight-in-progress call around 6:15 a.m. on Spectrum Drive.

When police arrived, they discovered 49-year-old Delevious Gilbert unconscious with multiple stab wounds. Officers and EMS attempted to save Gilbert at the scene.

During the investigation, officials watched a video of a prior altercation on Monday. The footage shows Gilbert and the suspect having a verbal argument that turned into a fistfight inside the Core-Mark distribution center. A third party broke up the fight, and it was not reported to company managers or local law enforcement.

On the day of the incident, Gilbert can be seen on outside video cameras retrieving an item from his pocket and attacking his coworker from behind as he exits the breakroom. Police have not released the name of that person said what charges he is facing.

Then Gilbert struck the coworker on the head several times, knocking him to the ground.

Chief Lawrence Capps of the Knightdale Police Department said Gilbert was on top of the worker and continued to attack him, and both men could be seen struggling with one another on the ground. Gilbert lost the dominant position, and then the coworker was able to get on top of Gilbert and attack him with a metal rod.

In the footage, he makes several stabbing motions toward Gilbert's side and torso.

"The video footage of this incident played a crucial role in helping us determine what really happened," Capps said. "It is apparent to us that Gilbert planned and launched an unprovoked attack against his coworker."

Gilbert was later taken to WakeMed's trauma center, where he died.

One viewer shared a video with WRAL News of officers and EMS performing CPR on the man.

"Incidents like these underscore the importance of workplace safety," Capps said. "Managers and employees both play important roles in mitigating workplace violence.

According to the District Attorney Office they have elected not to pursue immediate charges against Gilbert's coworker.