WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Triad mother is feeling some relief tonight, hoping police have finally solved her son's cold-case murder.
Winston-Salem Police are crediting officers' persistent efforts. The department has recently made arrests in several cold cases.
A life taken too soon.
"I saw it in the detective's face before he could even say it, and then he said I had to tell you your son has been murdered," said Velma Terry.
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Terry is the mother of Te'ore Terry. Winston-Salem police say the 35-year-old was found suffering from a gunshot wound, and police said he died at the scene back in February 2021.
Te'ore's mother, Velma, thought she would never have closure, that is, until three years later--the case that was once cold now with arrests thanks to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Winston Police accused 28-year-old Jaquane Fair of shooting and killing Te'ore Terry in February 2021. They found him dead in a parking lot in Winston-Salem.
"I'm just so grateful to them. I am truly grateful and my baby is not a cold case and many more are going to get solved," said Terry.
Since the start of 2024, WSPD has made arrests in two other cold cases--including one from 2010 and another from 2019.
The department says solving a cold case can take years but it is the help from the community that police say can speed up the process.
"When you get that community support, that community advocacy out there because then we have someone we can go talk to that may have witnessed it or may have that first-hand information came from," said Detective Andrew Boles with the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Boles said it was tips that helped to put Te'ore Terry's suspected killer behind bars. His mom, Velma, says nothing will ever take the place of her son, but today, she said the smile she carries is justified.
"I can truly wear this smile and say yes Winston Salem Police Department did their thing," said Terry.