The state will seek the death penalty for Gene Arnold “Root Root” Hawkins in the shooting death of Roanoke Rapids businessman Shelby Salmon, Halifax County District Attorney Melissa Pelfrey confirmed today.

Pelfrey said her decision was based on the facts of the case and statutes.

Hawkins is currently at Central Prison in Raleigh for safekeeping after he allegedly assaulted an inmate in the county jail with a homemade weapon.

Salmon was murdered in February of 2006 and Hawkins was charged in October.

Investigators began to target Hawkins in May but have declined to elaborate on what evidence allegedly linked the man to the crime.

Salmon’s last day began when he left home around 7 a.m. and stopped at what was the Trade Mart where he drank coffee and greeted customers.

Around 10 a.m. he arrived at his business at 1135 Roanoke Avenue and shortly after spoke with his wife who called on her cell phone to tell him she was at Wal-Mart and ask if he needed anything.

Salmon liked to make coffee and tea and told his wife he needed cups. He also told her he was going to get a haircut and discussed going to the Duke basketball game that Friday.

He got up to see what size cups he needed and continued a casual conversation with his wife.

Salmon usually came home for lunch between noon and 12:30 p.m. and would call to let his wife know if he wasn’t coming.

Around 12:30 p.m. he didn’t show up. His wife called another business in the block to request they look to see if his vehicle was there, which it was.

She left home and went to the business and at approximately 1:06 p.m. discovered her husband’s body on the floor.

Salmon died from a close range gunshot wound to the head and was most likely killed between 10:10 a.m. and 1:06 p.m.