On the night of July 27, 2024, at about 11:15 p.m., Thomasville police responded to a reported shooting at a residence on Savannah Lane and found 30-year-old Derrick Antoniyo Ealey, Sr., of Winston-Salem, dead from a gunshot wound inside the home. Authorities identified 39-year-old Jonte Lamar Matthews of Browns Summit as the primary suspect; Matthews surrendered early the next morning and was charged with one count of murder and held without bond in the Davidson County Jail. His initial court appearance was scheduled for August 28, 2024.

Derrick Ealey, known as Drock, was born July 12, 1994, in Detroit and later lived in King, North Carolina. He worked in the construction industry. A celebration of his life was held August 17, 2024, with a public viewing the day before. The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed.

If anyone knew Derrick or has information about the events of the night of July 27, please come forward to assist the ongoing legal process.