https://www.rrspin.com/archives/item/16099-two-charged-in-deer-run-dr-murder-shooting.html#sigProId156db1c93e
James Edward Powell, 25, and Dillon Tyler Irby, 21, have been charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the shooting death of Travis Johnson and the shooting of a male victim Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp did not name.
He declined to discuss motive in the case or whether drugs were at the center of the crime, given the past record of Johnson, who had several pending court dates in Halifax County on drug charges and has been the target of previous raids involving the City County Drug Task Force.
Powell has a previous criminal record and was most recently released from prison in 2015 for the principal charge of assault inflicting serious injury, according to state Department of Public Safety records.
Irby has received suspended sentences for assault by pointing a gun in Northampton County and felony breaking and entering in Halifax County, DPS records show.
Tripp declined comment on the possible relationship between the Roanoke Rapids men arrested and Johnson and the other victim in the case.
In a statement Tripp said deputies responded to Deer Run Drive shortly after 10:45 this morning on a call involving multiple shooting victims.
Tripp declined to say whether the shootings occurred inside or outside. Johnson was found deceased and the other victim was found in critical condition.
Through Investigation, deputies arrested Powell and Irby. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and City County Drug Task Force,” the sheriff said.
The unnamed victim was taken for treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
