DOBBINS HEIGHTS — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a suspect in an overnight homicide.
Deputies responded to a call regarding multiple shooting victims in the 300 block of Earle Franklin Drive in Dobbins Heights around 3 a.m. Saturday, according to a press release issued by Sheriff Mark Gulledge.
The sheriff said at least three males were involved in a verbal argument “that turned deadly.”
The sheriff’s office is withholding the names of the victims until the families are notified, Gulledge said.
Deputies obtained warrants for 30-year-old Erik Lewis Short, of Rockingham, charging him with murder, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
Short stands around 5 feet, 10 inches and weighs about 150 pounds, according to the sheriff’s office. He reportedly left the scene in a white Dodge Durango, but investigators believe he could also be in a green Ford Crown Victoria.
Gulledge encourages anyone who sees Short to contact law enforcement, but not to approach as the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on Short’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454.
Online court records show Short has a pending charge of resisting a public officer, as well as a court appearance for driving with a revoked license and exceeding the posted speed limit.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety show Short was first convicted in 2011 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Short was also convicted on a misdemeanor count of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance in 2016, and driving while impaired in both 2018 and 2019.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
