Neighbors React to Drug-Related Murder - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

A Mercer County neighborhood is in shock after police say a man most of the neighbors knew well, took a gun in hand and killed an elderly couple.

Police said Donald Adams confessed Tuesday to shooting an elderly couple in their home last night.

A couple they say he knew very well.

In fact, neighbors told me Doug and Monica Watkins treated Adams like a son.

Next-door neighbor Maggie Hurd said, "They're the type of people that would give the shirt off your back if you needed it. To help you in any situation."

And in the case of Doug Watkins, that generosity may have cost him his life.

This is Donald Adams.

Police tell 59 News he admitted to them to brutally killing his former neighbor and friend, 79-year old Doug Watkins.

Neighbors said Doug's wife, Monica Watkins was also assaulted and shot.

She was fighting for her life Tuesday in a Roanoke hospital.

Police AND community members say they never expected something like this to happen on Burton Street.

Hurd said, "I myself thought he was a very nice man, never thought he could do something like this."

Neighbor Francine Saunders said, "When Mr. Adams lived in the neighborhood he was pleasant we all got along."

But Adams admitted he was on crack-cocaine and went to the family for drug money.

Hurd said, "Just a loving nice guy, we did not know that behind these closed doors, he was battling with some demons and as we can see it got the best of him."

Neighbors said the Watkins' lived in this house for the past 20 years and for the past five, they viewed Donald Adams as a son.

They say their neighborhood will never be the same.

Hurd said, "It's tearing the neighborhood up to know that something like this could happen."

Saunders said, "Oh man I am devastated. He was truly a good neighbor they didn't bother anyone they stayed to themselves they were a loving couple and they added a lot of pleasure to the neighborhood."

Charges on Adams are pending right now, he is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday, October 9th.