Kissam

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FAIRMONT — The mother of a 29-year-old man who was shot to death outside of his home is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his killer.

“I want to find out who murdered my son,” Tammie Armstrong said. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt him, and I don’t understand why. I just need answers, and closure.”

John Ross Kissam, of 533 Harrington Road, was shot in his front yard at about 12:08 a.m. on July 15 after agreeing to give a man a ride to Rowland, according to Sheriff Kenneth Sealey. It’s unclear if Kissam knew the man or not.

Kissam, who loved the outdoors and worked in road construction with his father, Hubert, had an easy smile and a kind disposition, Armstrong said.

“What had upset the family and everybody that knew him is the way he died,” Armstrong said. “He was killed in a way that was heartless.”

An ad offering the reward and calling for information is being published in The Robesonian, and a Facebook page will be established in Kissam’s memory, Armstrong said. She said more than 2,000 fliers are being distributed throughout the surrounding community.

“It’s like a dream, where I’m going to wake up and he’s going to come through the door,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong said Kissam, who attended Fairmont High School, lived next door to his father and less than a mile from where he was raised, at a home on N.C. 904. His 25-year-old sister, Ashley Faulk, said Kissam was “her keeper;” his brother Dustin, 22, called Kissam his best friend.

She said more than 600 people attended his funeral.

“He was just everybody’s best friend,” Armstrong said. “… I’m reaching out to the community for help, because I don’t know who would do such a thing … I know the pain is still going to be there, but at least I’ll know that whoever did this is paying for it.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Division at (910) 671-3170. Callers can remain anonymous.