Adelina Shee
Staff writer
LUMBERTON — A Lumberton teenager who is accused of murder in the shooting death of a Fairmont High student was taken into custody at gunpoint on Wednesday, according to Chief Danny Parker, director of Public Safety for Fairmont.
Bobby Deshawn Jones, 19, of 2122 Turner Place, Lumberton was arrested at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday on Oak Grove Church Road, just west of Lumberton.
Lawmen from multiple agencies continues to look for Jerod Kutree McNeill, 16, of 154 Glardenias Drive, Lumberton, and Julius Laverne Rogers, 20, of 2362 Pleasant Hope Road, Fairmont, in the March 22 shooting death of DaQuan Stephens. Police say McNeill fired the shots that killed the 16-year-old as he played basketball at a town park.
Parker said Jones was arrested after he was seen in the passenger’s seat of a vehicle. The name of the person driving the vehicle was not released, but that person could face charges.
“I do know that there are people who are harboring, aiding and assisting Mr. Rogers and Mr. McNeill,” said Erich Hackney, an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office. “They too are the focus of this investigation.”
According to Hackney, Jones did not resist arrest. He is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and is being held at the Robeson County jail without bond. McNeill and Rogers face the same charges.
Hackney said Jones was cooperative while being questioned by lawmen.
“… We do have somewhat of a motive,” Parker said.
According to Hackney, investigators believe that McNeill has obtained additional firearms.
“The public should be extremely cautious,” Hackney said. “Based upon his mental state at present time, Mr. McNeill is considered to be dangerous.”
Hackney is hoping the two fugitives will turn themselves in so there is no more violence.
“I sincerely hope that Mr. McNeill and Mr. Rogers understand the severe gravity of the situation and will do the right thing and turn themselves in,” he said.
Three other people have also been arrested in the case.
Shinaha Nashae Grissett, 22, of Fairmont, and 23-year-old Natasha Deshaun Owens, of Lumberton, are charged with murder and conspiracy in Stephens’ death. Police say they were in the car with McNeill, Rogers and Jones when it arrived at the park while Stephens was playing basketball. Grissett and Owens are both being held at the Robeson County jail without bail.
Nita Rose Burney, 21, is charged with harboring a fugitive after she allegedly allowed Jones to sleep at her home. Burney and Jones have a 2-year-old child.
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