Guy Lennon Barden Jr., a 60-year-old African American male, was tragically shot to death on February 23, 2020, in Clarkton, North Carolina. The incident occurred in a single-wide mobile home located at 71 Tina Lane, a cul-de-sac off N.C. 211. The Bladen County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. reporting the shooting. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the bodies of Guy Lennon Barden Jr., 27-year-old Ronnie Lebert Kelly, and 30-year-old Catrice Lacole Murchison inside the
residence. A fourth victim, 69-year-old Hazel Epps, was also shot but survived the attack.
The suspect, Taurean Reshaul Johnson, a 36-year-old male from Clarkton, surrendered to the Bladen County Sheriff's Office later that day. Johnson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He was held without bond and made his first court appearance on Monday, February 24, 2020, via video conference. Judge Scott Ussery appointed James Payne as Johnson's public defender, and the prosecution was represented by Assistant District Attorney Adam Whitaker. The possibility of capital charges was pending review by the district attorney.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but the investigation revealed that Johnson entered the home and opened fire on the occupants before fleeing the scene. The Bladen County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the case, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. The community of Clarkton was left in shock and mourning as they grappled with the loss of three lives and the impact of the violent crime on their small town.
