Marquis Antonio Anderson

A fight turns deadly
A life was cut tragically short in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 22, 1995, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Marquis Antonio Anderson, an African-American man, was killed in a violent encounter that has remained unsolved for decades, leaving a painful void for those who knew him and a lingering puzzle for law enforcement. His death is one of a number of cold cases from that era that the Greensboro Police Department continues to seek answers for, hoping that someone will come forward with the missing piece of information that can finally bring about justice.

The incident unfolded just after 2:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Ramada Limit motel, located at 2838 South Elm-Eugene Street. At 2:05 a.m., the Greensboro Police Department received a call reporting a fight at the motel. This particular stretch of South Elm-Eugene Street, a major thoroughfare in the city, was a mix of commercial activity, with hotels and businesses lining the road. In the mid-1990s, Greensboro was a growing city, but like any urban area, it was not immune to sudden acts of violence that could shatter the community's sense of peace.

When officers arrived at the Ramada Limit, they discovered a grim scene. Marquis Antonio Anderson was lying on the ground in the parking lot, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The initial call about a fight had escalated into a homicide. Medical assistance was rendered, but his injuries were too severe. Mr. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene, his life ending abruptly on the asphalt under the motel lights. The promise of a weekend was instead met with irreversible loss.

The Greensboro Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. Detectives would have canvassed the motel, searching for witnesses among guests and staff who might have seen or heard the fight that preceded the shooting. Evidence was collected from the parking lot, and the area was processed for any clues left behind by the person or persons responsible. Despite these initial efforts, the investigation did not lead to a swift arrest. The case grew cold over time, as leads were exhausted and new cases demanded attention.

Years turned into decades, but the case of Marquis Antonio Anderson's murder has not been forgotten. It is listed among the cold case homicides that the Greensboro Police Department and Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers continue to highlight, holding out hope that new technology or a witness's change of heart could provide a breakthrough. The specific details of what led to the fight and who was involved remain unanswered questions that investigators are still eager to solve.

The case remains open and active within the Greensboro Police Department's cold case files. As of today, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The lack of resolution leaves a profound sense of uncertainty and injustice. To encourage anyone with information to come forward, the Governor of North Carolina has authorized a reward of $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the murder of Marquis Antonio Anderson. Anyone who may know something about the fight at the Ramada Limit on that night in April 1995 is urged to contact the Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers.