Stephon Dubose pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder in the 2023 killing of Duke graduate student Angela Marina Risi and the wounding of her roommate in Durham, North Carolina.
Incident Details
Dubose, 32 at the time of his plea, broke into Risi’s home on Worth Street after an argument over his demand for an exclusive relationship, which she rejected. He shot Risi eight times and her roommate three times; the roommate survived but was left permanently disabled. About 30 minutes later, Dubose stabbed himself at his family’s home on Tranquil Road and confessed to police, saying he “shot a female in the face and wasn’t going back to prison.”
Legal Outcome
Under the plea deal, Dubose faces 35 to 44 years in prison, though a sentencing date remains unset as of early 2026. He had been charged initially with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder and held without bond. The case stemmed from events on October 2, 2023, shortly after 7 a.m.​​
Victim Background
Angela Risi, 30, was a second-year graduate student in Duke University’s dance program, originally from California with training in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. Her father, Matteo Risi, described her as bright, fun, and well-loved, with over 200 attending her celebration of life. Neighbors, including council member Dedreana Freeman, noted prior loud arguments between the pair.​
