Eric Kentrall Staten, an 18-year-old African American male from Spring Lake, NC, was tragically shot to death on July 30, 2014. His body was discovered behind a set of trash bins in a shopping center parking lot on Ray Road in Spring Lake. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m., and homicide investigators were immediately called to the scene. Staten's death was a result of gunshot wounds, and the police released a video clip of an unidentified suspect seen driving through the parking lot.
Despite the release of the video, no arrests were made initially, and the investigation continued.
Several months later, on March 27, 2015, a significant breakthrough occurred in the case. Nathaniel James Anthony Tearry, a 20-year-old male from Fayetteville, NC, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Staten's death. Tearry was accused of shooting Staten in the shopping center parking lot on Ray Road. Following his arrest, Tearry was placed in the Harnett County Detention Center without bond and was expected to make his first court appearance shortly after.
The investigation into Staten's murder was a collaborative effort between local law enforcement and the community. The Harnett County Sheriff's Office sought any information from the public that could aid in solving the case. Despite the arrest of Tearry, the case continued to draw attention as the community sought justice for the young victim. The legal proceedings and subsequent trial of Tearry were closely monitored, as they represented a crucial step in addressing the tragic loss of Eric Kentrall Staten.
