Sheriff James A. McVicker announced the arrest today of the final suspect involved in a home invasion robbery that happened on Saturday, October 15, in the Buckhead community of Bladen County.
“Africa Shipman, 35, of 1482 Jenkins Road, Clarkton, was taken into custody this afternoon by members of the United States Marshalls Fugitive Arrest Team. Shipman was located at the home of a relative in Las Vegas early this afternoon,” said McVicker.
“We requested the assistance of the Marshall’s Service after we received credible information that Shipman was on the run and had fled to other states. It is good to be able to reach out to fellow law enforcement agencies but federal, state and local to ask their help in bringing a wanted fugitive to justice.”
The case began Saturday night, October 15, when Gregory Skinner, 38, of 1823 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, was dropped off outside the emergency entrance of Columbus County Hospital in Whiteville by a private vehicle. Skinner was pronounced dead at the hospital.
At approximately the same time, Bladen County Communications center received a call of shots fired and a home being struck by stray bullets near 735 Jacobs Loop Road in the Buckhead community.
Responding deputies went to the Jacobs Loop address and found Donwia Wayne Griffith, 38, of that address dead in the home. They also found two adult females and three minor children hiding in the home. The other victims were not injured.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that several individuals conspired with Skinner to go to the Griffith residence and rob him. During the course of the robbery several shots were fired and both Griffith and Skinner were struck with rounds. Griffith died at the scene and Skinner died at Columbus County Hospital.
Now charged with murder and in jail are Tamara Rashonia McKoy, 30, of 11676 Rosindale Road, Council and Erin Victoria Pridgen, 29, of 164 North Singletary Road, Elizabethtown along with Elijah Bruce Brown III, 37, of 4653 Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road, Clarkton.
Shipman is currently being held in Las Vegas awaiting an extradition hearing. McVicker said he knew additional charges would be made on all those involved.
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