RALEIGH, N.C. — After a weeklong search, authorities have made an arrest in connection with the shooting death of a Wake County Sheriff's Office deputy. More arrests are expected, the sheriff's office said.
Another man is in federal custody in Forsyth County and is also expected to be charged in the killing, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said.
"There are two individuals who have been charged in the homicide of Deputy Byrd," Freeman said.
What You Need To Know
Wake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ned Byrd was shot and killed the night of Aug. 11
Authorities have charged Arturo Marin-Sotelo, 29, of Apex, with murder in connection with his death
Bryd will be laid to rest at a funeral service Friday. There is a visitation for him on Thursday
Arturo Marin-Sotelo, 29, of Apex, is charged with murder in the death of deputy Ned Byrd. Byrd was killed about 11 p.m. on Aug. 11. Another deputy found Byrd dead about two hours later.
Marin-Sotelo appeared before a judge Thursday afternoon. He wore an orange-stripe jumpsuit and a face mask.
Through an interpreter, the judge told Marin-Sotelo he could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. He will be held without bond in Wake County Jail.
The Wake County District Attorney said her office would make the decision in the coming week on whether to seek the death penalty.
"The killing of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty is something that would make this a death-eligible case," Freeman said after the hearing. "We will be doing our due diligence and reviewing all of the evidence and coming to a decision about that."
The shooting in Wake County "involves things that were occurring in Forsyth County," Sheriff Gerald Baker told reporters Thursday. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough stood behind Baker during a news conference.
"We have a little bit more work to do," Baker said. He said he expects more arrests in the killing.
“We are always grateful and willing to provide assistance," Kimbrough said. "Because it is an ongoing investigation, we can’t disclose the particulars, but we were honored to have the opportunity to assist. As always, we are better, stronger, and safer together.”
An arrest warrant for Marin-Sotelo doesn't provide details about what led to the arrest. He appeared before a magistrate judge Thursday afternoon and was denied bond in a swift hearing that happened in a room, tightly packed with other law enforcement.
The sheriff said investigators found the white truck they had been searching for. The sheriff's office sent out photos earlier this week of a truck they thought may be connected to the case.
Byrd, a member of the K9 unit, had been with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. His funeral is set for Friday.
Related: Slain Wake Co. deputy to be laid to rest this week as investigation continues
“He was always in a good mood, good spirit because he enjoys what he does. That’s always refreshing,” Baker said.
The North Carolina Sheriff’s Association offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed Byrd.
Visitation for Byrd is scheduled for Thursday.
Deputies in the area southeast of Raleigh had a series of calls the night Byrd was killed. The Wake sheriff said Byrd left a domestic dispute call near where he was killed. The deputy may have pulled over somewhere to fill out his report on the call, Baker said.
“Following one of those calls he had the occasion to come down this road, and we believe he may have come into contact with someone and got out of his car to check on that situation, suspicious activity,” the sheriff said.
He said Byrd left his K9 partner Sasha in the car, so it does not appear he felt threatened. Baker said his office sent someone to go check on Byrd after he did not check in.
“We monitor these officers all over the county. The cars are equipped with equipment to help track where they are and keep up with things and there are instances where one may not be answering the radio or things like that or out of service which is out of the ordinary. So we have the ability to see where they are,” he said.
Byrd is the second deputy killed this month in North Carolina. Five other deputies and police officers have been shot and injured in recent weeks in the state.
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matthew Fishman was shot Aug. 1 while serving involuntary commitment papers. He died the next day.
“Much of what this profession is is going into the unknown when you step out of that car,” Baker said.
“When you walk up to serve an item of civil process, be it a domestic violence protective order or eviction, you don’t know what’s on the other side of the door and you don’t know the state of mind when you look at mental illness and drug and substance abuse what a person is going through,” the sheriff said.
