The rumor of a bomb threat at the Evangelical Church of Deliverance this afternoon briefly delayed funeral services for Brandon Tyrone Peterson who was shot and killed Sunday night.

Weldon Police Chief Mark Macon said the Halifax County Sheriff's Office investigated and determined there was no explosive device in the church, which is located in Weldon.

Macon said there was no call made, only a rumor that a bomb was in the church, therefore there is nothing to trace.

The police chief said there is no way of knowing whether the rumor was planted by Herman Lee “Smurf” Edwards, who is wanted in Peterson's murder and a person of interest in the Wednesday night murder of Lorenzo Tann Jr. in Roanoke Rapids.