ROCKINGHAM — More than two weeks following the death of a Richmond Senior High School student, police have filed a murder charge.
Richmond County Jail records show Joseph Ray Carroll, 49, was booked at 10:51 a.m. Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder and is being held without bond.
The Rockingham Police Department issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying officers responded to 907 Biggs Blvd. on Jan. 20 in reference to an unresponsive teenage male identified as Casey Johnson.
Officers reportedly attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived on scene.
Johnson was taken to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.
According to his obituary, published in the Richmond Observer Jan. 25, Johnson died on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Police say an investigation determined Johnson’s death was a homicide.
“This arrest is not the conclusion of our investigation but merely a step as we anticipate further charges and other arrests in coming days,” the release reads.
This is all the information the department is releasing at this time.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Note: This story was modified to add the last sentence. 2:40 p.m. 2-11-21)
