On October 26, 2023, 33-year-old Dagoberto Lopez was found deceased from gunshot wounds in a residence located at 10310 Garland Highway, approximately 10 miles south of Clinton, North Carolina. He was among five individuals discovered dead in the home, all victims of apparent gunshot wounds. The other victims were identified as Alfonza Jeffers, 73, of Clinton; Hector Salazar Lopez, 39, of Garland; Lamar Williams, 58, of Rose Hill; and Jamie Lynn Rowland, also known as Jamie Thompson, 47, of
Clinton.
The Sampson County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call received around 12:41 a.m. on October 26, reporting the discovery of multiple bodies inside the residence. Upon arrival, deputies found the five victims in different rooms of the house, each having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. The residence was known to local authorities as a location associated with drug activity, leading investigators to consider the incident a targeted attack.
Nearly a year after the incident, significant developments occurred in the case. In October 2024, two men, Robert Williams, 31, and Derek George, 35, were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the murders. Both individuals were charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack), conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Additionally, Williams faced a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. These charges suggest that the motive behind the quintuple homicide was linked to a planned robbery and drug-related activities at the residence.
The arrests of Williams and George were the culmination of a year-long investigation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies. Community tips played a crucial role in advancing the case, highlighting the importance of public cooperation in solving such violent crimes. If convicted, both men could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Their arraignment was scheduled for December 2024.
The tragic death of Dagoberto Lopez and the four other victims had a profound impact on the local community, underscoring the pervasive dangers associated with drug-related activities and the far-reaching consequences of violent crime. Law enforcement officials emphasized their commitment to bringing those responsible to justice and preventing similar incidents in the future.
