Truck connected to Wake Co. deputy's death recovered in Winston-Salem after being painted, sources say

Wednesday night, multiple sources told WRAL News that a truck connected to the killing of a Wake County deputy was located and picked up in Winston-Salem.

The truck, which was reported to be white by police, was said to have been painted red before being picked up and transported back to Wake County.

The truck was seen by a WRAL crew going into the Wake County Detention Center Wednesday night before it was transported elsewhere four hours later.

A man taken into custody in Burke County for questioning in the killing of a Wake County deputy was booked less than 24 hours later on a federal detainer at Durham County Jail.

Two men, Alder Alfonso Marin and Arturo Marin-Sotelo, were taken into custody Tuesday in Burke County, west of Wake County, for questioning in the killing of Deputy Ned Byrd.

A cousin of the two men confirmed they're brothers when she spoke with a WSOC-TV reporter.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a Durham County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said Marin was in federal custody. A spokesperson for Alamance County said Marin-Sotelo was booked into the county's detention center on a federal detainer.

WSOC-TV reported that the North Carolina State Highway Patrol pulled over the two men during two separate traffic stops on Tuesday afternoon along Interstate 40. The station reported that federal marshals took the two men into custody.

"SBI is requesting assistance in stopping the suspect, actually two suspect, vehicles from the Wake Deputy," scanner traffic from Broadcastify said.

"They are both believed to be suspects," scanner traffic went on to say.

Wake County Chief Legal Advisor Rick Brown said, “These individuals have been arrested on federal detainers unrelated to the Byrd homicide. The investigation is at a sensitive point."

Burke County reporters shouted questions to the men as they were taken in for questioning, but they offered no response.

Byrd, 48, was found dead around 1 a.m. in a rural area of Battle Bridge Road in the southeast part of the Wake County. He had been shot multiple times, and officials believe he was killed around two hours before he was found.

A series of calls on Thursday night brought Byrd and his K-9 partner to the scene, according to Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker.

'This was senseless': Uncle, sister of slain Wake County deputy try to process tragic death

Baker said he believes Byrd may have been caught off guard by whomever shot him.

Byrd's K-9, named Sasha, was still inside his vehicle, which Baker said indicates Byrd may not have considered whatever he initially encountered to be a major threat, since he hadn't needed his partner. Baker says Byrd also didn't call for backup.

Byrd didn't radio to let anyone know he was getting out of his vehicle to investigate, according to investigators. He also didn't radio for help after he was shot.

Deputies came to the scene after not hearing from Byrd for several hours.

Byrd is the seventh law enforcement officer shot in the line of duty in North Carolina in the last three weeks.

Funeral arrangements for Byrd have also been announced. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mitchell Funeral Home at 7209 Glenwood Ave.

Byrd's funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church at 6339 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh.

The Raleigh Police Department will shut down Glenwood Avenue beginning at 10:30 a.m. Shortly after the road closure, Byrd's casket will be placed on a Caisson led by State Highway Patrol's Caisson Unit to be transported to Providence Baptist Church. Members of the sheriff's office will serve as pallbearers.

Following the service, law enforcement will follow the hearse carrying Byrd's remains to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 300 Saint Mary's St.