Wanted in One Murder, Now Charged in North Carolina Double Homicide

Wanted in Columbus County Murder, Now Charged in Roanoke Rapids Double Homicide

A man already wanted in one North Carolina murder case is now facing charges in a separate double homicide investigation.

Roanoke Rapids police say Eric Lamont Martin Jr. has been charged with murder in the deaths of Patrick Faircloth and Maraiah Thompson. The two were killed on June twenty-second in Roanoke Rapids, and investigators have been working the case while also coordinating with authorities in Columbus County.

That connection became a major focus because Martin was already wanted in a separate homicide that happened on June eleventh in Columbus County. Detectives from Roanoke Rapids and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office have been working together to determine whether the two cases are connected.

Police have not released every detail about what they believe ties the investigations together. But what they have confirmed is serious: the same man wanted in the Columbus County murder is now also charged in the Roanoke Rapids double homicide.

A second person has also been charged in connection with the Roanoke Rapids case. Police say Isaiah Cooper was arrested on July first and charged with two counts of accessory after the fact and one count of obstruction of justice. His bond was set at two hundred fifty thousand dollars, and he is scheduled to appear in Halifax County court on July eighth.

Martin remains on the run. Authorities say he should be considered armed and dangerous, and they are warning the public not to approach him.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about Martin’s location, or either homicide investigation, to contact Roanoke Rapids police, Halifax Central Communications, or Halifax County Crimestoppers. Callers can remain anonymous.

For now, the case leaves investigators working across county lines, with one suspect wanted in a June eleventh murder and now charged in a June twenty-second double homicide that left two more people dead.