Wilmington Stabbing Suspect Hospitalized Before Court Appearance

The man charged in the fatal stabbing of a Marine has been hospitalized, delaying his first court hearing.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:36pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single police evidence marker, such as a numbered placard or a small piece of crime scene tape, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the stark, gritty nature of a criminal investigation.A police investigation into a violent downtown incident exposes the complexities and tensions surrounding law enforcement response.Wilmington Today

Davy Spencer, 47, was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing death of 21-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Montano in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Spencer was hospitalized ahead of his scheduled court appearance, and the judge appointed a public defender to represent him.

Why it matters

The stabbing incident and the police response have sparked criticism online, with some questioning the officers' actions. The hospitalization of the suspect adds another layer of complexity to the case as it proceeds through the legal system.

The details

Police responded to reports of multiple fights in the 100 block of North Front Street just after 2 a.m. on April 5. Montano was stabbed and died despite life-saving efforts. A 41-second video circulating on social media shows police deploying pepper spray in the street before an officer came across Montano bleeding profusely on the sidewalk. In a separate incident at nearly the same time, officers responded to a fight in the 0 block of North Front Street, where a 22-year-old woman was transported to the hospital with severe stab wounds.

  • On April 5, police responded to reports of multiple fights in the 100 block of North Front Street just after 2 a.m.
  • On April 13, Davy Spencer was hospitalized ahead of his first appearance in court.

The players

Davy Spencer

A 47-year-old man charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing death of a Marine.

Daniel Montano

A 21-year-old lance corporal with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, who was fatally stabbed in downtown Wilmington.

Jazya Muldrow-Green

A 20-year-old Wilmington resident who was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in connection with a separate stabbing incident on North Front Street.

Ryan Zuidema

The Wilmington Police Chief, who defended the officers' response to the fatal stabbing incident.

Lindsey McKee

The judge who appointed the public defender's office to represent Davy Spencer.

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What they’re saying

“'They're dealing with trying to assess what's going on there. They don't know if there are other victims around. They don't know if the suspect is still close by, and there's a lot going on.'”

— Ryan Zuidema, Wilmington Police Chief

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on when Davy Spencer will be able to appear in court once he is discharged from the hospital.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to chaotic and potentially dangerous situations, as well as the need for continued scrutiny and transparency around police actions, especially in high-profile incidents that raise concerns in the community.