On May 5, 2023, at approximately 8:25 p.m., Robeson County Sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting incident at 129 Parnell Road near Lumberton, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 27-year-old Donald Ray Williams of Wagram, North Carolina, deceased from gunshot wounds.
Following an investigation, authorities identified 33-year-old Kenneth J. Mitchell of Lumberton as the primary suspect.
Mitchell was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a weapon in an enclosure to incite fear. On May 15, 2023, he was apprehended during a traffic stop near the southbound 7-mile marker on I-95 in Lumberton. Mitchell was taken into custody without incident and held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, and the relationship between Williams and Mitchell remains unclear. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office Homicide Division continues to investigate the case, urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Donald Ray Williams, born on September 23, 1995, in Scotland County, North Carolina, was remembered as a hardworking and loyal individual who cherished spending time with his family and friends. He had a passion for fishing, driving fast, and engaging in outdoor activities. Funeral services were held on May 16, 2023, at Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel in Laurinburg, followed by interment at Spring Hill Cemetery.
This tragic incident has left the Wagram and Lumberton communities in mourning, highlighting concerns over gun violence in the area. As legal proceedings against Mitchell progress, family and friends of Donald Williams seek justice and closure for their untimely loss.
