ELLERBE — A man is dead after being shot late Thursday night and deputies want to find the person responsible.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 10:21 of shots being fired in the area of Pat Peg Lane, off U.S. 220 outside Ellerbe, according to a statement released Friday afternoon.
While enroute, deputies were told by 911 operators that a person had been shot.
When they arrived, the found 38-year-old Christopher Poulos suffering from a gunshot would, investigators say.
FirstHealth EMS also responded to the scene, but were unable to revive the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
No other information was available Friday.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help to identify any suspects involved. Anyone who may have witnessed any activity is encouraged to call Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454 or the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 910-895-3232.
This is the first shooting death for sheriff’s office investigators this year, but the third in Richmond County.
The other two fall under the jurisdiction of the Rockingham Police Department.
Rufus Alexander Helton was charged in the February shooting death of Joe Braddock on U.S. 74 Business. There is no scheduled appearance listed with on the North Carolina Court System’s website.
Two teens, 18-year-old Jimiel Lovon Lindsey and 16-year-old Kevin Orlando Bowe Jr., were arrested July 15, after being advised to turn themselves in, in the June 23 death of Benovente Jesus Dominguez.
Police said told the Daily Journal Tuesday that the victim was shot one time in the abdomen area with what appears to be a shotgun wound.
Lindsey and Bowe were each charged with one felony count each of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.
They are scheduled to appear in court July 28.
While Hamlet police have dealt with several shootings this year, none of them have been fatal.
Nearby Moore County had two shooting deaths this week.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.