Man Charged With 2011 Murder Of Norristown Teen: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — After five years of mystery, mourning, and anger from the Norristown community over the 2011 unsolved death of teenager of D'Ravious Dawkins, an arrest has been made.

Omar Terrell Massenburg, 23, has been charged with murder and related offenses, just two days before the five year anniversary of the murder, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Better known as "Ray," Dawkins was 17, in the prime of his life, when he was gunned down one Friday night, March 18, 2011, on Noble Street in Norristown.

The arrest is the result of an extensive investigation, the DA said.

Seven witnesses and eyewitnesses, along with cell phone analysis and other information contributed to the arrest, according to the DA.

“We never let this case go cold. There was work being done on this murder throughout these five years,” said Steele. “A lot of investigative efforts have gone into this case to get us to the point now where we are able to make an arrest and do justice for Ray Dawkins and his family.”

Police had previously stated that Dawkins may have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong on that night in 2011. When Dawkins resisted, he was shot. This has not been confirmed by the District Attorney's office.

He was immediately taken to Montgomery Hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.

An officer responded to a report of people fighting just after 10 p.m.

As he approached down West Elm Street, two vehicles traveling north on Stanbridge Street crossed in front of him, causing him to slam on his brakes.

Media reports at the time suggested that one of those vehicles could have contained the killer.

Dawkins was popular in school, according to reports, and was a member of the JROTC at Norristown Area High School. He was buried in his uniform.

In 2012, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office offered a $5,000 reward for any information that led to an arrest.

Homicide investigators told the Times Herald at the time that they “felt sure” someone in the community knew the identity of the killer, and asked the public’s help in bringing the killer to justice and easing the suffering of Dawkins’ family: his mother, Dawn Dawkins, and his four sisters, Dominique, 23, D’Yanad’Vonda, 21, D’Lia, 16, and Devyn, 13.

Massenburg was arraigned on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is set for March 28.

Image 1: Suspect Omar Terrell Massenburg, courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Image 2: Victim D'Ravious Dawkins, via obituary.