GREENSBORO — Greensboro police are investigating what they have classified as the city’s 21st homicide of 2026 after a 21-year-old man was found dead Sunday evening in a wooded area off Weslo-Willow Circle.
Discovery and response
At approximately 5:51 p.m. Sunday, officers along with Greensboro Fire and Guilford County EMS responded to the 5600 block of Weslo-Willow Circle after a call reporting "suspicious activity," the Greensboro Police Department said. Responding personnel found Khemari Javon Perry, 21, unresponsive in a wooded area. He was pronounced dead at the scene and investigators reported an apparent gunshot wound.
Police say their Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the probe. As of the latest update, no suspects have been publicly identified and investigators have not disclosed information about a possible motive or how Perry came to be in the location where he was found.
Events leading up to discovery
Officers had been called to the same neighborhood the previous day after reports of shots fired. At about 12:52 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the 5600 block of Weslo-Willow Circle, but no victims or suspects were located at that time, according to police. Later Saturday, a family member reported Perry missing.
The sequence of calls — a shots-fired report followed by a missing-person report and the discovery of a body the next day — is now part of the department’s investigation. Police have urged anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers anonymously at 336-373-1000.
- Victim: Khemari Javon Perry, 21
- Location: 5600 block of Weslo-Willow Circle, Greensboro
- Time discovered: ~5:51 p.m., Sunday
- Previous police response: shots-fired call ~12:52 p.m., Saturday (no suspects/victims found)
What police have released and what remains unknown
Police confirmed the victim’s next of kin has been notified. Beyond the basic timeline and the facts that the victim sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound and the Criminal Investigations Division is handling the case, officials have not released additional details. There has been no public announcement about any arrests, persons of interest, or a weapon recovered at the scene.
Investigators frequently withhold certain details early in a homicide investigation to preserve the integrity of evidence and to prevent the compromise of investigative leads. Residents who live near Weslo-Willow Circle said they were unsettled by the news but also said they hoped police would provide more information as it becomes available.
Safety and community impact
Sunday’s fatality marks a somber milestone for Greensboro in 2026 as the department continues to track violent crime across the city. For neighbors and people who frequent the area, the shooting and the response by emergency services underscore lingering safety concerns.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, or who may have dash-cam, doorbell, or surveillance footage that could assist the investigation, to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 12:52 p.m., Saturday | Officers responded to shots-fired report at 5600 block of Weslo-Willow Circle; no victims or suspects located |
| Later Saturday | Family member reported Khemari Javon Perry missing |
| ~5:51 p.m., Sunday | Perry found unresponsive in wooded area; pronounced dead at scene |
The Greensboro Police Department characterized the matter as an active homicide investigation and said updates would be provided as more information becomes available. Residents with knowledge of the incident are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers to assist detectives with the ongoing inquiry.
This is a developing story and further details will be reported when released by law enforcement.
