Leonel Ciprian, a 29-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on September 7, 2019, in Whiteville, North Carolina. The incident occurred early in the morning when Leonel, along with his wife Nancy Trujillo Espinoza, 25, and their 5-year-old son Alexis Ciprian Trujillo, were shot inside their home during a sudden break-in. The grandmother, Rafaela Noyola Jaramillo, was also shot but survived the attack.
The investigation into the triple homicide led to significant developments. On February 24, 2020, a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested on multiple charges, including three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of stolen goods. The juvenile was initially booked at the Columbus County Detention Center with a $450,000 bond, which was later increased to $5.4 million during a first appearance.
The following day, on February 25, 2020, Prentis Deshawne McDuffie, also known as "Chopper," a 30-year-old male, was arrested on the same charges. McDuffie was booked at the Columbus County Detention Center with no bond. The investigation into the case remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to seek additional information.
The tragic deaths of Leonel Ciprian, his wife, and their young son have left a profound impact on their family and the Whiteville community. The Ciprian-Noyola family has sought support from the community to cope with the unexpected tragedy and to cover funeral expenses.
