SMITHFIELD – A man wanted for a double homicide Monday morning in Fayetteville was found dead in a field off S. Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield this morning (Tuesday).
Rhaim Mosies Santiago, age 29, with a last known address in Clayton, died from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound. Santiago was wanted by Fayetteville Police on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree kidnapping, and one count of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.
At 12:14am Monday, Fayetteville Police were dispatched to Aftonshire Drive after a homeowner returned home and found an adult male inside his residence unresponsive. The victim, Marchellous Latrel Braddy, 33, of Raeford, NC was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers located a second victim in the yard. Nakea Latasha Brooks, 27, of Fayetteville also died at the scene. Santiago was known to both victims.
Monday afternoon, a stolen vehicle believed to have been driven by Santiago was located in the 800 block of Blount Street in East Smithfield. He reportedly fled on foot before police arrived. A manhunt took place for several hours before being called off around 4:00pm. Johnston Community College was temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution.
Monday evening, Santiago reportedly carjacked a vehicle in Selma. The vehicle crashed in the back of Selma Memorial Gardens near US 301 and US 70 prompting another manhunt for the armed and dangerous suspect. Santiago managed to elude apprehension.
Tuesday morning, Smithfield Police located another vehicle that had been carjacked by Rhaim Santiago after the Selma Memorial Gardens incident. Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to South Brightleaf Boulevard near Kay Drive where the stolen vehicle was found to set up a perimeter to search for Santiago who fled on foot. Officers reportedly heard a single gunshot fired from a field between Kay Drive and the Brightleaf Market.
Law enforcement officers later found Santiago deceased in the field from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No law enforcement officers discharged their weapons.
In addition to the homicide charges, authorities said Santiago was also wanted on warrants by the State Highway Patrol in Johnston County for a March 2022 incident and an unrelated outstanding order for arrest warrant for felony probation violation.
Smithfield Police and the NC SBI are investigating the apparent suicide of Rhaim Santiago.
