North Carolina police believe the shooting deaths of four elderly people may have been gang-related.
Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said on Monday that the home of James Harris, 88, and his wife 72-year-old Janice Harris, may have been targeted.
James Whitley, 76, and 67-year-old Peggy Whitley, were also killed while visiting the Harris family home between August 20 and 21.
Investigators said at the time that the two married couples had been sitting around a kitchen table playing cards when they were killed during the gruesome home invasion.
North Carolina police believe the shooting deaths of four elderly people may have been gang-related. Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said on Monday that the home of James Harris, 88, and his wife 72-year-old Janice Harris (pictured), may have been targeted
James Whitley, 76, (pictured) with his wife Peggy Whitley, 67, were both found shot dead while visiting the Harris family home in August
Investigators said at the time that the two married couples had been sitting around a kitchen table playing cards when they were killed during the gruesome home invasion
Tripp said a family member found the bodies after checking on the home in the Glenview community, just off Interstate 95 north of Rocky Mount.
The sheriff said there were no signs of a struggle. He told a news conference that there were signs of forced entry and items of value missing from the home.
‘It’s very disturbing,’ Tripp said in August.
Sheriff’s offices from four counties have joined the investigation, as well as the NC Highway Patrol, the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Enfield Police Department.
‘We have a quadruple murder,’ Tripp said. ‘We want to use all available resources on this.’
Tripp confirmed there were no signs of a struggle. The sheriff confirmed two of those who had been murdered were close friends of his.
The sheriff said there were no signs of a struggle. He told a news conference that there were signs of forced entry and items of value missing from the home
As of yet, investigators have not received any information about a possible suspect and are appealing to the public for information
A reward in excess of $51,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case
He told ABC 11: ‘I knew two of these people personally. In my 33 years of law enforcement, this is my first quadruple murder.
‘We do have indications a robbery did take place.’
‘All four victims were members of this community and well-known, and well thought of. You put your emotions aside and you work the case,’ Tripp said.
Tripp didn’t provide any additional details on the murders. State and federal agencies are working with Tripp’s office in the case.
A reward in excess of $51,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
As of yet, investigators have not received any information about a possible suspect and are appealing to the public for information.
Sheriff Tripp urged anyone with information on the case to call Crime Stoppers at (252) 583-8201.