Wilmington Resident Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Fatal Stabbing of Active-Duty U.S. Marine

Wilmington man Davy Spencer faces second-degree murder charges after a fatal stabbing of a U.S. Marine. Get the latest on the investigation and arrest.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 10:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WECT

Fatal Altercation in Downtown Wilmington

A violent confrontation in the heart of Wilmington’s downtown district resulted in the death of a young service member during the early hours of Sunday, April 5. The Wilmington Police Department responded to reports of multiple individuals engaged in a physical fight in the 100 block of North Front Street at approximately 2 a.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 21-year-old male had sustained critical stab wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts performed at the scene, the victim succumbed to his injuries, prompting a homicide investigation by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

Identification of the Deceased Service Member

The victim has been identified as Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano, a U.S. Marine who was based at nearby Camp Lejeune. Montano was a young Marine whose life was cut short during the weekend disturbance. His death has resonated throughout the local military community, as Camp Lejeune maintains a significant presence in the Eastern North Carolina region. The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Montano's identity following the incident, which occurred just as local nightlife activities were concluding for the evening.

Arrest and Specific Criminal Allegations

Following an intensive investigation, Wilmington detectives arrested 47-year-old Davy Spencer, a local resident, in connection with the stabbing. Spencer has been formally charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. Arrest warrants specify that the weapon used during the incident was a folding pocket knife. According to investigators, the conflict involved at least two other victims who survived the encounter but were allegedly targeted by Spencer with lethal intent during the melee.