Laura Whitman, a 53-year-old woman, was tragically shot and killed on June 25, 2022, while working as a clerk at a Quik Chek gas station in Star, North Carolina. Whitman, who had recently started her job at the store, was new to the location but well-known and loved in the community. On the night of her death, a suspect entered the store, demanded money, and shot her despite her compliance.
Surveillance footage showed the suspect jumping over the counter, taking money from the cash register, and then shooting Whitman multiple times before fleeing the scene with additional money.
The investigation into Laura Whitman's death led to the arrest of two suspects. A 17-year-old male was apprehended near Darlington, South Carolina, and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. The teenager was also wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Darlington on June 5. Additionally, a 57-year-old man named James William Ward was arrested and charged with the same crimes; he is believed to have driven the getaway car.
Laura Whitman's daughter, Courtney Rodriguez, expressed her grief and desire for justice, stating that her mother was a kind and caring person who always went out of her way to help others. Rodriguez hopes that the suspects will be held accountable for their actions and that justice will be served for her mother's senseless death.
The Star Police Department, along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, continues to work on the case to ensure that those responsible for Laura Whitman's death are brought to justice. The community has rallied around Whitman's family, offering support and condolences during this difficult time.
