On January 2, 2017, Richard McJoe, a 19-year-old male from Severn, NC, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound at the residence of 57-year-old Robert Sears in Pendleton, North Carolina. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 3:46 a.m. to respond to the location. Upon arrival, deputies discovered McJoe deceased inside the residence of Sears. The initial report indicated that McJoe died from a gunshot wound.
Robert Sears was quickly identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting. He was arrested later that day and charged with first-degree murder. Sears, who is a 57-year-old male, was held without bond. The motive for the murder has not been determined, and the investigation is ongoing.
The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, continues to investigate the case. Sheriff Jack Smith expressed gratitude to the Northampton County EMS, Lt. J. Jenkins, Sgt. A. Roye, Sgt. D. Shephard, Sgt. A. Johnson, Deputy Worrell, the Murfreesboro Police Department, and the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.
Captain Patrick Jacobs mentioned that investigators are unsure why Richard McJoe was at the residence of Robert Sears. Sheriff Jack Smith stated that there was a gathering of people at the Sears residence, which is located in the Pendleton area off Vaughan Creek Road.
