Teen Homicide Suspect Fatally Shot by Lee County Deputy After Killing Grandmother
CAMERON, N.C. — A tragic multi-county investigation ended Thursday afternoon (Oct. 30) when a 13-year-old boy accused of killing his grandmother in Hoke County was fatally shot by a Lee County deputy during a pursuit.
A tragic multi-county investigation concluded Thursday afternoon (Oct. 30) when a 13-year-old boy, accused of killing his grandmother in Hoke County, was fatally shot by a Lee County deputy during a pursuit.
Authorities say the incident began earlier that morning when Hoke County Sheriff’s deputies discovered 68-year-old Connie Linen deceased in her home on Pearce Place in Raeford. Investigators quickly identified her grandson as the suspect and obtained warrants for first-degree murder after determining he had violently attacked her before stealing her vehicle.
Suspect Located in Lee County
Around 2 p.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to assist in locating the juvenile suspect, who was reportedly driving his grandmother’s stolen car. Deputies soon found the vehicle parked behind an abandoned mobile home on Black Road in the Cameron area.
When deputies approached, the teen fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. During the chase, officials say he grabbed a piece of 2×4 lumber from a yard and charged at a deputy, prompting the deputy to fire his weapon.
Deputies immediately rendered first aid, but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
State Bureau of Investigation Reviewing Case
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has taken over the case, as is standard in all officer-involved shootings. Both the Hoke County and Lee County Sheriff’s Offices are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations.
Lee County Sheriff’s officials emphasized that deputies followed protocol and that their thoughts remain with everyone affected.
Hoke County Sheriff Roderick Virgil called the situation “tragic and emotional,” offering condolences to both families:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ms. Linen, as well as the family of the juvenile. We ask that our community come together with compassion and understanding as we all process this difficult event.”
Community Mourns Double Tragedy
Both agencies described the case as devastating for law enforcement, the family, and the wider community. Linen’s death marks one of the region’s most heartbreaking domestic-related incidents of the year, now compounded by the fatal officer-involved shooting of the young suspect.
The SBI’s investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released.