Leonard Pettiford, a 51-year-old man from Roxboro, North Carolina, was tragically killed on May 6, 2017. His body was discovered by his son in Pettiford's home on Halifax Road after he failed to show up for work. Leonard Pettiford was shot twice with a shotgun, once in the face and once in the collarbone area.
The investigation into Leonard Pettiford's death led to the arrest of three individuals. Dudley Wayne Pruitt Jr., the father of Pettiford's girlfriend, confessed to the murder.
Dudley Pruitt Jr. was charged with murder and non-negligent homicide. His 19-year-old daughter, Ashley Marie Pruitt, was also charged with murder. Additionally, Walter William Kyle Chambers, 21, was arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact.
The case revealed that the tumultuous relationship between Leonard Pettiford and his girlfriend's family played a significant role in the events leading up to his death. Pettiford's mother expressed her heartbreak and recounted how her son was threatened by Ashley Pruitt on multiple occasions. Despite the confession, there were still uncertainties about who exactly pulled the trigger.
The Person County Sheriff's Office worked diligently to piece together the events and gather evidence, ultimately leading to the arrests and charges. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of personal conflicts escalating to violence.
Leonard Pettiford's death left a profound impact on his family and the community, with many expressing their condolences and grief over the loss of a beloved father, son, and friend.
