Rodney Kirk Murphy, a 51-year-old male from Saint Pauls, NC, was tragically killed on September 28, 2015, during a home invasion. The incident occurred at a residence on Shaw Road in the St. Paul's community of Robeson County. Murphy was shot in the stomach during the invasion, which led to his untimely death.
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office identified Quatrell Damar Nicholson, a 24-year-old black male, as a suspect in Murphy's murder. Nicholson was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping of a person older than 16 years of age, felony assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nicholson's last known address was in Laurinburg, NC.
In addition to Murphy's death, three other individuals were injured during the home invasion. Leila Marie Brooks, a 36-year-old resident of the home, was beaten with a pistol. Horace Jamal Glover Jr., a 36-year-old male from Britt Road in St. Pauls, was shot in the stomach. John Lydell Bullard, a 37-year-old male from Victoria Drive in Parkton, was shot in the hand.
The investigation into the home invasion and Murphy's murder led to the arrest of a second suspect, Carson Bernard Brown, a 27-year-old male from Laurinburg, NC. Brown was charged with first-degree murder in Murphy's death and two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was denied bond on the murder charge and given a $320,000 bond for the robbery charges. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the incident and search for additional suspects who may have been involved.
The tragic death of Rodney Kirk Murphy and the subsequent arrests highlight the severity of the crime and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice. The case remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violent crime on individuals and communities.
