HAMLET — A suspect in a Thursday night shooting turned himself in to police at the Richmond County magistrate’s office Friday afternoon.

Investigators with the Hamlet Police Department say Devion Marquis Ward shot a man on Washington Avenue just before 10 p.m. on Thursday.

A photo of Ward holding a pump-action shotgun was posted to the department’s Facebook page late Friday morning, with police asking for information regarding his whereabouts. Five hours later he was in custody.

The victim, who name has not been released, was shot once in the leg in front of Washington Court Apartments. He was found by Richmond County sheriff’s deputies on Longwood Street in Dobbins Heights — about a half-mile away — and was taken to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond for treatment.

Police initially had a small portion of the street taped off about a block down from Hamlet Food Mart, but later extended the crime scene to the corner of the convenience store’s property.

Two people, 31-year-old Robert Williams and 20-year-old Kadejah Pate, were arrested for walking through the crime scene.

Ward is charged with assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.

Last year, Ward was charged in shooting on Pine Street, along with Shakeim Pleasure Weeks and an unidentified 17-year-old. Within a week, Ward and seven others were charged in an assault.

According to online records, Ward has no prior convictions, but does have a court appearance for speeding in Robeson County.

Like most of the shootings in the area since May of last year, Detective Capt. Randy Dover said this one was gang related.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675.

Ward
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DEVION-MARQUIS-WARD-1.jpgWard

William R. Toler | Daily Journal Yellow tape blocks off Washington Avenue while Hamlet police investigate a shooting Thursday night.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_hamlet_scene-2.jpgWilliam R. Toler | Daily Journal Yellow tape blocks off Washington Avenue while Hamlet police investigate a shooting Thursday night.

By William R. Toler

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