Marine killed in Wilmington stabbing in chaotic brawl, person of interest sought

A U.S. Marine was stabbed to death during a chaotic downtown brawl in North Carolina early Sunday, and police have released surveillance footage showing the man wanted in connection with the deadly incident.

Lance Corporal. Daniel Montano, 21, was one of two people stabbed during the incident in Downtown Wilmington and later died from his injuries, according to the Wilmington Police Department and his family.

Police officers responded around 2 a.m. to reports of multiple fights in the 100 block of North Front Street in Wilmington. in question. About 70 miles from Camp Lejeune, the area is a popular destination for Marines serving at the East Coast’s largest Marine Corps base.

Video of the police response circulating online shows officers using pepper spray before confronting Montano, who was standing on the sidewalk, bent over and bleeding heavily.

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The video then shows a bystander helping Montano up the fence before he collapsed and trying to help as officers approached.

The second male stabbing victim initially fled the scene, but officers later found him and applied a tourniquet, saving his life, police said.

According to his family, Montano was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.

Relatives described him as a devoted sailor and a source of light in their lives.

“Daniel proudly served as a U.S. Marine assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment at Camp Lejeune. He was not only dedicated to his country, but was also deeply loved by his family. To us, he was more than just a Marine; he was a son, a brother, and someone who brought so much light to our lives,” his family wrote on a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral expenses.

The Wilmington Police Department said it “expresses its condolences to Montano’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

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The Wilmington Police Department has released surveillance footage of a person of interest in a downtown stabbing that left Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano, 21, died. The incident occurred during a large brawl in the early morning hours of April 5, 2026, authorities said. (Wilmington Police Department)

Investigators are looking for the suspect seen in the security footage released by the ministry.

Police described him as an adult Black male of medium height, wearing a light-colored fleece-lined denim jacket and jeans, a pink shirt and white sneakers with blue and red accents. She was also wearing a dark blue headscarf that looked like a durag, with her long hair visible.

Police are asking anyone who was in the city center between midnight and 3am to provide information, including photos, video or surveillance footage.

North Carolina police came under scrutiny for their response, and the city’s police chief defended the officers’ actions.

The video shows officers using pepper spray before approaching the bleeding victim during the early morning incident in Wilmington.

Wilmington Police Chief Ryan Zuidema said the footage doesn’t reflect everything officers encountered.

“They have no idea who is who,” Zuidema said at Wednesday’s press conference. Wilmington StarNews. “They don’t know who is a suspect and who is a victim.”

Wilmington Police Department headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina. Police are investigating a downtown stabbing that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old U.S. Marine and are looking for a suspect. (Google Maps)

Zuidema said the situation was fluid and dangerous, and officers were trying to determine whether the suspects were still nearby and whether there were other victims.

“They’re trying to evaluate what’s going on there,” he said.

The chief added that one officer was pepper-sprayed, while another asked to be given gloves before aiding the victim, per department protocol. It was stated that police teams also informed emergency medical teams to the scene.

Authorities did not say what triggered the fight.

Fox News Digital requested further comment from the Wilmington Police Department.

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In another nearby incident around the same time, a 22-year-old woman was stabbed and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Authorities arrested 20-year-old Jazya Muldrow-Green in that case and charged her with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury.