Eric Martin – already wanted for the June 11 shooting of Raphael Gowans in Brunswick – is now wanted for the murder of two local youth who were with Martin’s alleged accomplice when they were slain.
The driver in that case, Isaiah Cooper, 18, has also been charged with two additional counts of being an accessory to murder after the fact and obstruction of justice. He was already charged with assisting Martin’s escape from Columbus County after the Gowans shooting.
Roanoke Rapids Police said Martin, 18, is wanted for the June 22 shooting deaths of Patrick Faircloth, 19, of Chadbourn and Mariah Thompson, 15, of Whiteville. Isaiah Napolean Cooper, also 18, is being held under $75,000 secured bond in Columbus County, charged with accessory to murder after the fact.
Cooper was allegedly driving when Martin shot and killed Faircloth and Miss Thompson, RRPD said in a press release. Cooper was taken into custody after a brief police chase, questioned and released. He was arrested here earlier this week.
The two victims were found near the intersection of Vance and West 11th streets by police responding to an early-morning shots fired call, RRPD said.
Martin is still at large. Cooper will have an appearance in Halifax courtroom July 8.
Martin, Cooper, Miss Thompson and Faircloth knew each other from Whiteville High School, according to investigators.
Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to call the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at 910.6426551 or Roanoke Rapids Police at 252.533.2810.
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