CHARLOTTE — U.S. Marshals are asking people to be on the lookout for a fugitive wanted for murder who may have ties to Charlotte.
Dionte Whitson is accused of a murder in Asheville, and his case was just highlighted nationally on the Investigation Discovery channel.
U.S. Marshals said they’re hopeful the spotlight will bring in new tips on where Whitson could be.
“He’s a young kid, he’s going to live a long time, is that how he wants to live his life, looking over his shoulder? Probably not,” said Deputy commander Brian Alfano, with the U.S. Marshals Service. “He is absolutely going to great lengths to conceal himself and stay hidden.”
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For nearly two years, federal investigators said Whitson has been on the run, accused of killing 17-year-old Teylyn “Tey” McAlpin in Asheville in 2020.
“He was outgoing, lovable. He was an awesome kid,” McAlpin’s mother, Javelin Duncan, told WLOS. “I just want to hold him and tell him I love him.”
Duncan said the two boys were close.
Whitson was brought in for questioning, but at the time, investigators said they didn’t have enough to hold him. They said he’s been on the run since December 2020.
Alfano said their fugitive task force is working to bring him in. It’s the same task force Channel 9′s Genevieve Curtis rode along with in July.
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Alfano said Whitson has ties to the Charlotte area and that authorities have some intel he could be living among the homeless population to stay hidden. He said Whitson is a threat to the public.
“If he can be raised with somebody so closely, he calls him a brother, his family, if he can kill someone like that, well then, what can he do to to you if he comes into contact with you in the street?” Alfano said.
He said that while an investigator continues to work the case, they are also relying on the public for help. Many of their tips have been exhausted, but they’re hoping having the case in the spotlight again will lead to more.
There’s a $10,000 reward offered for anyone with information on where Whitson may be. The U.S. Marshals tip line is 877-WANTED2.
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