On Monday, February 16, 2026, a fatal shooting at a Plymouth apartment left a 31-year-old man dead and prompted an urgent manhunt for a suspect who remains at large, according to the Plymouth Police Department. Officers responded to an apartment located at 308 West Water Street, Apartment C, around 7:32 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered 31-year-old Quadree Khalil Pettiford of Plymouth suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical personnel from Washington County EMS arrived at the scene and provided immediate care before transporting Pettiford to Washington Regional Medical Center. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Pettiford was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arrival. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted Plymouth Police at the scene and in the initial investigation.
Investigators worked quickly to identify the person responsible for the shooting, and by Tuesday, February 17, the Plymouth Police Department had obtained arrest warrants for a suspect in connection with Pettiford’s death. The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Jeffrey Haughton II of Roper, North Carolina. Haughton is facing serious charges including first-degree murder, breaking or entering with intent to terrorize or injure, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to police statements, the incident is believed to be domestic-related, and authorities have emphasized that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public, as the two men knew each other. However, Haughton remains at large, and the Plymouth Police Department is actively attempting to locate him. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has also assisted in the investigation and search efforts.
The Plymouth Police Department is urging anyone with information about the investigation or Haughton’s whereabouts to contact them immediately at 252-793-4680. The community now mourns the loss of Quadree Khalil Pettiford, a 31-year-old Plymouth resident whose life was violently taken in an apartment on West Water Street, while law enforcement continues its search for the man accused of ending it.