Maurice Cuthbertson Jr. Shot and Killed in Winston-Salem North Carolina

On the night of July 25, 2017, the Bloomfield Drive neighborhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was rattled by violence that would leave residents shaken and a family grieving. Maurice Cuthbertson Jr., a 32-year-old man known to friends and neighbors for his easygoing demeanor, was inside his home when an unknown person or persons knocked at his front door. What began as an ordinary summer evening took a tragic turn when Cuthbertson answered that knock—and was met with gunfire. By the time first responders arrived, the life of a young father had been cut short in what would become the city’s fifteenth homicide of the year.

Life of Maurice Cuthbertson Jr.

Born in 1985, Maurice “Moe” Cuthbertson Jr. grew up in Winston-Salem, attending local schools and cultivating a tight circle of friends. He worked various jobs to support himself and his family, and those who knew him remember him as a devoted father to his two young children. A fixture at neighborhood barbecues and community events, Maurice was often described as someone who would lend a helping hand without hesitation. His family recalls his laughter filling the house and his dedication to being present in his children’s lives—weekend baseball games, bedtime stories, and the countless small rituals that define fatherhood.

The Night of the Shooting

Shortly after 11 p.m. on July 25, neighbors reported hearing an unexpected knock on Cuthbertson’s front door. Video surveillance from neighboring homes later confirmed that a lone figure approached the house, paused at the threshold, and then opened fire upon the door being answered. Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots in rapid succession, followed by the sound of a vehicle speeding away. Inside the home, Cuthbertson sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound. Authorities believe the shooter fired through the door itself, suggesting a targeted, premeditated act rather than an errant stray bullet or random violence.

Immediate Police Response

Winston-Salem police received the 911 call at approximately 11:28 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes to find Cuthbertson lying on the floor of his entryway. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators established a perimeter around the property, cordoning off the street to preserve evidence. Ballistics teams collected shell casings from the doorstep and canvassed the area for additional clues—footprints, discarded clothing, or items dropped by the fleeing suspect. Crime scene technicians meticulously documented the layout of the entryway, searching for fingerprints and DNA evidence that might tie a suspect to the weapon or the scene.

Forensic Investigation

In the days following the shooting, the Forsyth County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an autopsy to determine the precise cause and trajectory of the fatal wound. Ballistics analysts traced the casings recovered at the scene to a common caliber used in handguns, indicating the shooter likely meant to end a life. Investigators tested the collected evidence for latent prints and conducted DNA swabs on the door frame and nearby surfaces. Meanwhile, detectives submitted requests for local dash-cam footage—from both police cruisers and nearby residents—for any recordings that might show a vehicle speeding away from the scene. They also reviewed cell-phone tower data to track potential suspect movements in the area around the time of the shooting.

Witness Outreach and Public Appeals

With limited leads, the Winston-Salem Police Department took to social media and local news outlets to appeal for witnesses. Investigators urged anyone who had been on Bloomfield Drive or neighboring streets between 11 p.m. and midnight on July 25 to come forward with information. Flyers bearing Cuthbertson’s photo and the details of the incident were posted throughout the community—at grocery stores, bus stops, and community centers. Crime Stoppers offered a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest, ensuring anonymity for those hesitant to speak with law enforcement directly. Despite these efforts, no arrests were made in the immediate aftermath, and the case entered a chilling stalemate.

Community Reaction and Vigil

The murder sent ripples through Winston-Salem’s tight-knit neighborhoods. Friends and family organized a candlelight vigil on Bloomfield Drive less than a week after the shooting. Dozens gathered to mourn, holding candles and sharing stories of Cuthbertson’s kindness and devotion to his children. Tears flowed freely as his sister described him as “the one who would drop everything to help, the father who never missed an opportunity to show his love.” Community leaders spoke at the vigil, promising that the city would not forget Maurice and urging anyone with information to step forward. Local ministers offered prayers for the Cuthbertson family, emphasizing unity and shared responsibility in keeping neighborhoods safe.

Theories and Suspect Profiles

Investigators explored multiple theories about motive. Some believed the killing stemmed from a personal dispute, given the precision of the shooting and the rapid escape. Others speculated it might have been gang-related, though police noted that Cuthbertson had no documented affiliations with gang activity. Law enforcement examined his recent communications—phone records, social media messages, and known associates—for signs of escalating threats or altercations. Detectives also interviewed co-workers and friends to map any potential conflicts. While these efforts produced names of persons of interest, they lacked the conclusive evidence needed to bring charges.

Challenges in the Investigation

A lack of cooperating witnesses presented one of the greatest hurdles. Fear of retaliation led some residents to withhold critical information, and cell-phone data provided only broad location pings rather than precise movements. The nocturnal timing and swift getaway meant few saw the suspect’s face clearly, and no surveillance cameras in immediate proximity captured a detailed image. With shell casings but no firearm recovered, ballistics could not definitively link a weapon to a suspect. Over time, leads dried up, and the case file grew—hundreds of pages of reports, interviews, and evidence logs that still yielded no breakthrough.

Impact on the Cuthbertson Family

For Maurice’s family, the shooting left a void that could never be filled. His children lost a father, his parents lost a son, and siblings lost a brother. The emotional toll proved immense: sleepless nights, counseling sessions, and the constant ache of unanswered questions. The family established a scholarship fund in his name at his children’s school, ensuring his legacy of generosity lived on. They also partnered with local youth centers to sponsor after-school programs—efforts aimed at preventing the kind of violence that had taken Maurice’s life. Though they channeled grief into positive action, their hope for justice remained a persistent undercurrent.

Renewed Leads and Cold Case Status

Over subsequent years, Winston-Salem’s homicide detectives periodically revisited the Cuthbertson case. Advances in forensic technology, such as enhanced DNA analysis and the ability to extract usable profiles from degraded samples, offered renewed hope. In 2019, investigators re-examined evidence from the scene using these new methods, submitting swabs for advanced testing. They also conducted follow-up interviews with key witnesses under a “fresh eyes” approach, hoping that time might loosen tongues. Despite these efforts, no definitive match appeared, and the case remained classified as “active but cold,” kept on the books in hopes that a breakthrough tip would eventually surface.

Broader Context of Violence in Winston-Salem

Maurice Cuthbertson Jr.’s murder underscored a broader spike in violent crime that summer across Winston-Salem. By late July 2017, the city had already recorded more homicides than it did in many previous years’ totals. Local authorities struggled with strained resources, and community leaders called for greater investment in violence-reduction initiatives—more foot patrols, increased street lighting, and neighborhood watch programs. Civic organizations organized forums on conflict resolution and de-escalation, inviting former offenders, victims’ families, and law enforcement to speak. While such efforts aimed to curb future tragedies, the loss of Maurice remained a poignant reminder of the stakes.

Continuing the Search for Justice

Though the Cuthbertson murder entered its third calendar year with no arrest, law enforcement officials expressed unwavering commitment to solving the case. The Winston-Salem Police Department’s cold case unit kept the file active, regularly circulating updates to officers and forensic experts. Tips continued to trickle in—even as late as mid-2020—and detectives pursued each with due diligence. The family maintained contact with investigators, requesting briefings whenever possible. Their persistence, combined with community vigilance, kept the case in public view and served as a deterrent to the notion that time alone can erase the urgency of justice.

Legacy and Hope

Maurice Cuthbertson Jr.’s life, though tragically cut short, continues to inspire those who knew him. His family’s scholarship fund has awarded multiple students for academic and community service excellence, perpetuating the values he embodied. Community centers bear plaques in his honor, reminding visitors that even in grief, generosity can blossom. While the unanswered questions of that fateful night linger, the collective efforts of police, family, and neighbors serve as a testament to resilience. Each whisper of a new lead, each plea to remember his name, fuels hope that one day someone will come forward, the mystery will unravel, and a measure of closure will at last be granted.