James Clark Gales, a 74-year-old male from Laurinburg, North Carolina, tragically passed away on September 3, 2020. He was found unconscious under his carport from a gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead at Scotland Memorial Hospital. The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. when officers responded to a call about a gunshot victim.
The suspect, Justin Jermaine Ellison, a 30-year-old male from Laurinburg, was arrested at the scene without incident.
Ellison was charged with first-degree murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied property, and discharging a firearm into the city limits. He was held without bond and the investigation into the shooting continued.
The Laurinburg Police Department was investigating two deadly shootings within 24 hours, including the death of James Clark Gales. The second shooting involved Brian Eugene Gibson, 48, who was found shot in his car on Biggs Street the night before Gales' death. The police were looking into the possibility of a connection between the two shootings.
The community was deeply affected by these tragic events, and the police department continued to seek public assistance in their ongoing investigation. The Detective Division was actively working to gather more information and identify any additional suspects or witnesses related to the shootings.
James Clark Gales' death was a significant loss to his family, friends, and the community of Laurinburg. The investigation into his murder and the related incidents remained a priority for the Laurinburg Police Department as they worked to bring justice for the victims and their families.
