ROCKINGHAM — A convicted rapist is now facing an attempted murder charge in connection to a stabbing.
According to the Rockingham Police Department, officers responded to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3 in reference to a stabbing.
The reported victim, identified as Warren Simmons Sr., had gone to the hospital “seeking immediate medical attention after sustaining a stab wound,” according to RPD.
Simmons was later taken to an undisclosed hospital and police say he is listed in critical condition.
Investigators identified 53-year-old Kevin Eugene McDonald of Ellerbe as the suspect in the case.
McDonald was reportedly found a short time later and taken into custody without incident.
Police have charged McDonald with a single count of attempted first-degree murder.
He was booked into the Richmond County Jail at 6:20 p.m. Feb. 3 and is being held on a $1 million secured bond. McDonald is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 13.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.
Jail records show McDonald is also being held without bond on a parole violation.
According to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction, McDonald was released from prison in October 2021 after serving three years and three months following a 2018 conviction on charges of second-degree rape and attempted second-degree forcible rape.
McDonald’s parole was set to end Oct. 12, 2026.
Records show McDonald was first convicted in 2006 of maintaining a place for a controlled substance. His initial probation was revoked and he served a month behind bars.
McDonald was given probation again in 2010 when convicted of larceny from the person.
Online court records show McDonald is also facing the following pending charges from 2024: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In that case, from the Hamlet Police Department, McDonald was arrested without warrant. According to the magistrate’s order, McDonald was in possession of 21 dosage units of crack cocaine, three crack pipes, and “Brillo pad material.”
(Note: The case record shows an additional charge of possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance which isn’t listed on the magistrate’s order.)
McDonald was arrested Oct. 9 and a bill of indictment was filed Dec. 11.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
