Off-duty Greensboro Police officer killed, 3 charged, chief says. What we know

Jessica Banov
·3 min read
31

An off-duty Greensboro police officer was killed Saturday, prompting a statewide Blue Alert to seek the public’s help in finding the suspects.

On Sunday, the Greensboro Police Department announced the name of the killed officer, Sergeant Philip Dale Nix, who had been with the department for 23 years.

The police also announced three suspects had been arrested in association with Nix’s death: Jamere Justice Foster, 18, Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28.

According to the Greensboro Police Department, Foster is charged with first-degree murder, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny and is being held with no bond. Blackwell and Morrison have been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Morrison is being held without bond while Blackwell is held with a $500,000 bond.

At a brief news conference Saturday night, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said Nix was at a Sheetz gas station in Colfax around 4 p.m. when he witnessed a crime. Thompson said the officer approached the suspects and was shot. He did not say what crime the officer witnessed.

Another off-duty Greensboro police officer and Guilford County paramedic were on scene and gave Nix aid, but he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, Thompson said.

An emotional Thompson fought back tears and wiped his eyes several times as he slowly said: “He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department in this community.”

He did not take any questions from the media and did not confirm that the suspects were in custody. The Blue Alert that was issued at 6:10 p.m. was canceled at 7:52 p.m.

What is a Blue Alert?

A Blue Alert is issued when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured or killed and the suspect is considered a threat to others, according to the N.C. Center for Missing Persons. This is the first Blue Alert issued in North Carolina, according to records.

The following information was provided:

  • Greensboro Police said they were looking for two men in their early to mid-20s driving west of Greensboro on Interstate 40. The Sheetz gas station is at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax, which is west of Greensboro and not far from Piedmont Triad International Airport.

  • They were driving a black Chevrolet Equinox with North Carolina plate KKA-4332. The car also has a Hertz Car Sales plate on the front.

  • One of the men is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants with a green and gray winter hat. The other suspect is wearing a jean jacket with gray sweatpants.

What is a Blue Alert and why does North Carolina have it?

Gov. Roy Cooper posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken with Thompson Saturday night to offer “all available state resources to catch those who killed a Greensboro police officer.”

“Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones. Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation.”

Thompson thanked several local, state and federal agencies for their support as condolences poured in from police departments and other public officials throughout the state.

He was joined by Greensboro Mayor Nancy B. Vaughan at the press conference.