UPDATE: (8/12)- The Kinston Police Department said that Dionate Whitson, a 2020 Asheville murder suspect has been taken into custody on Thursday, August 10.
The Kinston Police Department, the United States Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in the arrest of Whitson.
Officers said that they made a traffic stop on Highway 70 West in Kinston. Whitson was wanted by the Asheville Police Department for the 2020 homicide of Teylyn McAlphin and for possession of a stolen firearm in Kinston.
Whitson was taken into custody without incident and will be held in the Lenoir County Detention Center without bond.
“For nearly three years, the U.S. Marshals Service, along with their local, state, and federal partners across North Carolina, have sought to bring Whitson to justice and some peace of mind to Tey McAlpines’ loved ones. That day has arrived, and freedom for his alleged killer has finally ended. My deepest gratitude to the multiple law enforcement agencies and members of the public for never giving up on bringing a safe closure to this fugitive escape from our justice system.” says U.S. Marshal Terry Burgin for the Western District of North Carolina.
KINSTON, N.C. (WSPA) – The Kinston Police Department said that they saw a murder suspect that is currently wanted as they were conducting patrols on Saturday.
Officers said that they were conducting patrols in reference to suspicious activity along the 500 block of Larkspur Road in Kinston. Officers said that they encountered the suspect, who ran from officers and tossed a stolen firearm.
According to officers, they were able to identify the suspect as Dionate Whitson, 21, of Asheville, North Carolina. Whitson is wanted by the Asheville Police Department on a first-degree murder charge following a Nov. 28, 2020, killing of a teenager.
The U.S. Marshals are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Whitson’s arrest. According to officials, Whitson has connections to Greenville, Charlotte, Asheville, and Atlanta. Whitson could be living among the homeless populations in those areas.
Whitson has brown eyes and black hair. Whitson is also around 5’7 and weighs 150 pounds.
According to officers, Whitson should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on Whitson’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at (252)-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252)-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App which is available on both Apple and Android devices.
You may also contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 or use the USMS Tips App.
