Juvenile Suspect in Hoke County Double Homicide Dies by Suicide Near Lake Waccamaw
LAKE WACCAMAW, N.C. (WTVD) — Authorities report that a juvenile suspected in a double homicide in Hoke County died by suicide after being located near the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina campus in Lake Waccamaw on Monday night.
Deputies with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6 p.m. Monday to a home on Cope Road in Red Springs following a report of cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, they found two individuals unresponsive. The deaths are currently being investigated as a double homicide. Officials have not released the victims’ names or the cause of death, and details surrounding how they died remain unclear.
Following the discovery, authorities began searching for a juvenile suspect connected to the case. Later that night, the suspect’s vehicle was found roughly an hour southeast of the crime scene in Columbus County, near the Boys and Girls Homes campus at Lake Waccamaw. The suspect was not inside the vehicle, prompting law enforcement to search the property and place the campus on lockdown.
During the search, officers located the juvenile in an unoccupied area of the campus. Investigators stated that the suspect took their own life, though they did not provide details on the method. First responders administered aid and transported the juvenile to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
No staff or residents at the Boys and Girls Homes were injured during the incident. The organization confirmed that standard lockdown procedures were followed and assured that everyone on campus remained safe. However, they could not confirm whether the juvenile was currently residing at the campus or had in the past.
At this time, officials have not released information regarding any relationship between the suspect and the two victims.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has confirmed it is investigating the death at Lake Waccamaw, while the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into the double homicide in Red Springs.
Hoke County Sheriff Roderick Virgil described the situation as “heartbreaking” and urged the community to support one another through this difficult time.
“Our community is built on strength, compassion, and unity,” Sheriff Virgil said. “Healing will take time, but through unity and faith, we will find strength once again.”
Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers also extended his condolences and praised the cooperation between agencies during the investigation.
“Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragic situation,” Sheriff Rogers stated. “We are grateful that no innocent lives were endangered.”
Because the suspect was a minor, law enforcement has withheld identifying information in accordance with privacy laws.