On the morning of July 27, 2023, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Laurinburg Police Department officers responded to reports of an unresponsive individual inside a vehicle at a convenience store located at the intersection of McColl and Hasty Roads in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Upon arrival, officers discovered 55-year-old Clifton Dale Thomas, a resident of Bennettsville, South Carolina, deceased in the driver's seat of a black Honda Pilot. Thomas had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
Investigations revealed that Thomas had been involved in a verbal altercation with another male prior to the shooting. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots during the dispute and observed the suspect fleeing the scene in a light blue Hyundai. Later that day, 50-year-old Robert Cecle McLeod of Laurinburg turned himself in to the authorities. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and is currently held at the Scotland County Detention Center.
The tragic death of Clifton Thomas has deeply affected both the Laurinburg and Bennettsville communities. Family, friends, and community members have expressed their grief and are seeking justice for Thomas. The incident has also sparked discussions about the prevalence of gun violence and the importance of conflict resolution within the community.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the altercation and subsequent shooting. They urge anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation. Community support and cooperation are deemed vital in ensuring that justice is served and in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
