Ricky Lamar Douglas Jr., a 30-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on March 28, 2022, in Garysburg, North Carolina. Ricky was found deceased in the front yard of a residence, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The initial crime scene investigation was conducted with the assistance of the NC State Bureau of Investigation, Gaston Police Department, and Garysburg Police Department.
Following a thorough five-month investigation, the Northampton County Sheriff's
Office obtained arrest warrants for two suspects, Larry Gardner, aged 41, and Johnny Smith Jr., aged 32, both from Baltimore, Maryland. The suspects were charged with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and felony conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected to be filed in the near future.
The Northampton County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to all the agencies that assisted in the investigation and emphasized the senseless nature of the violence that led to Ricky Lamar Douglas Jr.'s death. The Sheriff's Office also extended their condolences to the victim's family, acknowledging the profound impact of this tragic event.
