Police hunt for murder suspect
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on November 28, 2007 1:45 PM
Police named a suspect Tuesday in the murder of a man found shot to death in the woods behind a home on Salem Church Road, authorities said.
A Granville Drive resident found the body of Joseph Antonio Payan, 33, behind her home after church on Nov. 18.
Now wanted for the murder is Devon Dejatorian Jones, also known as Devon Dejatorian Waters, 28, Investigator Dave Cloutier said.
Jones uses both names regularly, Sgt. Chad Calloway said. He also has a scar on the lower part of his neck from a tracheotomy.
Police said Jones has ties to Kinston, Greenville, Greensboro and New York City. His last known address was Rebecca Lane in Kinston.
Cloutier said last week that Payan's car was found somewhere in Johnston County after police processed the crime scene on Sunday afternoon.
A resident of Granville Drive initially reported seeing the body, after insisting to her husband that they search the woods after church on Nov. 18.
She had called police and neighbors the night before after counting eight gunshots being fired behind her house. Before the gunfire, she reported seeing a vehicle enter the area and flashlights scanning the woods as if searching for something. Police responded but were unable to find anything in the dark. The body was discovered the next day when the couple went out to investigate for themselves.
Calloway and Cloutier, after receiving reports from the medical examiner's office, have said that Payan died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Police have not released a motive in the slaying, but have said there is no known gang connection to the death.
Jones is described as being about 5-feet-9 inches tall and weighing about 165 pounds, according to police.
Anyone with information about Jones' possible whereabouts is asked to call Cloutier at 580-4242 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 735-2255.