Deputy Shoots 13-Year-Old Suspect in Grandmother’s Homicide
URGENT UPDATE: A North Carolina deputy has fatally shot a 13-year-old boy who was wanted in connection with the homicide of his grandmother, Connie Linen, on October 30, 2023. The incident unfolded in Raeford, approximately 90 miles southwest of Raleigh, as the boy charged at the officer wielding a piece of lumber.
According to the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were called to Linen’s home for a well-being check and tragically discovered her deceased. While the specific details regarding her death remain undisclosed, detectives quickly identified her grandson as the suspect and completed the necessary paperwork to charge him with first-degree murder.
The sequence of events escalated when deputies located the boy behind an abandoned mobile home in the Cameron area. As officers approached, the teenager fled the scene, grabbing a two-by-four during his escape. When he confronted the deputy, the officer discharged his weapon, resulting in the boy’s death.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the State Bureau of Investigation will conduct a review of the shooting, a standard procedure in such cases. The boy was described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the community. “This has been a tragic and emotional situation for everyone involved,” stated Hoke County Sheriff Roderick Virgil. He urged community members to come together with compassion and understanding during this difficult time.
As investigations continue, officials have not yet disclosed further details about the shooting or the circumstances surrounding the grandmother’s death. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, raising questions about the tragic loss of life and the implications of such violent encounters.
Next steps: Authorities will provide more information as the investigation unfolds. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and support one another in the wake of this distressing incident.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
