Contributed
Tabor City, NC –According to the City of Pickens Police Department, on April 16, 2019, Rebecca Marie Purry went to the Police Department to report that her ex-boyfriend, Marco Murice Vaught, 36, had threatened to come to her house and get her. On April 17th, at approximately 1:00 am, the City of Pickens Police Department received a shots fired call in the 500 block of Pendleton Street in Pickens, SC, same being Purry’s residence.
Witnesses advised that Vaught fired several shots before forcing Purry into a black 2000 model GMC Denali with NC tags. During the incident, Vaught shot Rebecca Purry’s aunt, Claudette Purry multiple times. Claudette Purry, 54, later died at the hospital while receiving medical treatment. Rebecca Purry’s father and son were in the residence at the time of the incident. The City of Pickens Police Department issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Vaught.
On April 20, 2019, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office received information that Vaught was at his residence in the 800 block of Deer Lane in Tabor City. Shortly after 11:00 am, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived at the residence. After securing a perimeter around the residence, the deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence. While on scene, deputies heard multiple gunshots coming from inside Vaught’s residence. At this time, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was activated. Upon arrival, the SWAT Team attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence. After failed attempts at communication, the SWAT Team forced entry into the residence. Marco Murice Vaught and Rebecca Marie Purry were located inside the residence, deceased from gunshot wounds. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office investigation is closed.
We would like to thank all the first responders that responded to this incident. We would also like to thank the City of Pickens Police Department in South Carolina for their assistance with this investigation.
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