Drive-by shooting suspects arrested

Investigators with the Moore County Sheriff’s Department arrested three suspects in connection to a recent drive-by shooting near Aberdeen.

Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced in a news advisory that Kendrick Purcell, 35, of Southern Pines, Chaucey Williams, 36, of Southern Pines, and a 15-year-old male juvenile were arrested on Jan. 5.

A pickup truck driver was shot in a drive-by shooting on Highway 15-501 and Pinebluff Lake Road Monday, Jan. 2, at 4:15 p.m. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the hand and was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

Fields said shortly after the shooting that the man was not the intended target.

Man injured in drive-by shooting Aberdeen

Passenger window shattered in a drive-by shooting on Jan. 2/Sandhills Sentinel.

The Chevrolet Silverado truck had the driver’s side window shot out, and the driver’s side mirror had a hole where a bullet had pierced it. The passenger window was shattered but remained intact with a single bullet hole. The truck and surrounding area were cordoned off with police tape as law enforcement worked the scene. Officers wearing tactical gear and carrying rifles had the road blocked off.

Man injured in drive-by shooting in Aberdeen

Driver’s side window was shot out, and the driver’s side mirror had a hole where a bullet had pierced it on Jan. 2/Sandhills Sentinel.

“On January 5, 2023 Sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Southern Pines, North Carolina in connection with the shooting,” said Fields. “During the search, investigators recovered the vehicle involved in the shooting and multiple firearms. Investigators identified several people responsible for the shooting who were taken into custody without incident.”

Man injured in drive-by shooting near Aberdeen

Officials with Moore County Sheriff’s Department and Aberdeen Police Department work the scene on Jan. 2/Sandhills Sentinel.

Purcell and Williams were each charged with one count of felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, one count of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, and two counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Purcell’s bond was set at $200,000, and Williams’ bond was set at $250,000. Both are due in court next week.

The minor was taken into secure custody through coordination with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Anyone with information about this incident is requested to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 910-947-4444,” said Fields.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Photo: Kendrick Purcell and Chaucey Williams. Not pictured due to age is the 15-year-old male juvenile. Photo from Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

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