On October 12, 2023, 26-year-old Daniel Blake Grissom of Henderson, North Carolina, was fatally shot in a tragic incident that also left another man injured. The Vance County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of Gillburg Lane in Henderson. Both victims were transported to Maria Parham Medical Center, where Grissom succumbed to his injuries. The condition of the second victim has not been publicly disclosed.
Authorities quickly identified 24-year-old Eric Ryan Hill of Manson, North Carolina, as the primary suspect in the shooting. He was considered armed and dangerous and was last seen driving a white Ford Explorer near the Sheetz on Ruin Creek Road around 7:47 a.m. on the day of the incident. By 9:30 a.m., Hill was apprehended without incident and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
Grissom was a well-known figure in his community, remembered for his deep devotion to family and friends. He worked as a Southeastern Regional Sales Representative for Buffalo Milling Company, a role that had him traveling across North and South Carolina. An avid fisherman, Grissom was sponsored by Kerr Lake Bait and Tackle and often served as a fishing guide for out-of-state enthusiasts. He had a particular fondness for fishing spots like Nutbush Bridge and Kerr Lake Dam. His 1990 Pontiac Firebird, which he restored with his father, was a testament to his passion for cars and was a familiar sight—and sound—in the area.
Funeral services for Grissom were held on October 19, 2023, at Sossamon Funeral Home Chapel in Henderson, followed by burial in Elmwood Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Jeffrey and Linda Grissom; his son, Lane Blake Grissom; his siblings, Jacob and Leah Grissom; and his maternal grandparents, Danny Joe Lassiter and Malae Marie Letuli. The community continues to mourn his untimely passing as they await further developments in the case against Hill.
