On May 28, 2023, at approximately 2:55 a.m., two individuals arrived separately at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, North Carolina, each suffering from gunshot wounds. An officer present at the hospital on an unrelated call began gathering information from the victims, identified as 43-year-old Nicholes Leggett of Fairmont and 35-year-old Marcus Alford of Lumberton. During this process, the officer was informed of a third shooting victim at a residence on Nevada Street.
Upon arrival at 2131 Nevada Street, officers discovered the body of 43-year-old James Edward Blount Jr., who was pronounced dead at the scene. Blount resided at the Nevada Street address where his body was found. Leggett and Alford were subsequently transferred to undisclosed hospitals for further treatment of their injuries.
Following an investigation, authorities identified Nicholes Leggett as a suspect in the shootings. After receiving treatment for his injuries at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina, Leggett was arrested on June 2, 2023, by Florence police based on warrants obtained by the Lumberton Police Department. He waived extradition and was transported back to North Carolina.
Leggett faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder for the death of James Edward Blount Jr., attempted first-degree murder of Marcus Dwayne Alford, two counts of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property, and discharging a firearm within city limits. He was held at the Robeson County Detention Center without bond for the murder charge and with a $500,000 bond for the remaining charges.
The motive behind the shootings was not immediately disclosed by authorities. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remained ongoing, with law enforcement urging anyone with additional information to contact Detective Yvette Pitts at 910-671-3845.
