3 indicted on charges connected to death of NC off-duty officer as case moves to Superior Court

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Three suspects facing charges connected to the death of an off-duty Greensboro police officer have been indicted in Superior Court.

Jamere Justice Foster, John Walter Morrison and Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell went in front of a grand jury on Monday on charges connected to the December 2023 murder of Greensboro Sgt. Philip “Dale” Nix . Subsequently, Superior Court indictments were handed down to all three suspects.

Foster was indicted for first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession and intent to sell cocaine. Morrison was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon, and Blackwell faces a charge of accessory after the fact.

“The jurors for the State upon their oath present that on or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant named above unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Phillip Dale Nix,” the indictments for both Foster and Morrison read.

Background

On Dec. 30, 2023, Nix, who was a Greensboro police officer and off-duty at the time, approached Foster and the other suspects at a Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Guilford County after they allegedly stole around $85 worth of beer.

Investigators say that, after Nix approached the suspects, Foster shot him, and they fled the scene. Another off-duty Greensboro police officer and a Guilford County paramedic were able to render aid immediately, but the sergeant died at the hospital.

Morrison was initially charged with misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, according to police.

Blackwell was charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Warrants accuse Blackwell of knowingly assisting in Foster’s “attempting to escape,” and telling Foster “they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop.” Documents further allege that Blackwell joined Foster to sell stolen merchandise and talked about destroying evidence including the alleged firearm used in the homicide and a registration plate of the suspect vehicle.

Morrison and Foster were given no bond, and Blackwell was given a $500,000 bond at the time of their arrests.

Foster has remained in custody, and, in mid-July, he was additionally charged with with assault inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor conspiracy. Documents state that he assaulted another man in jail with a sock full of batteries.

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