ELLERBE — Investigators have released the name of both the victim and a suspect in weekend homicide.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced the evening of Aug. 4 that “several” warrants —including one for murder — have been obtained for the arrest of Raequan Lameek Ratliff, of Hamlet, in the death of 36-year-old Wendell Robinson Jr.
Robinson was reportedly found on Easterling Street in Ellerbe early Sunday morning with a fatal gunshot wound.
Ratliff, 28, is approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds and investigators say he is considered to be armed “and extremely dangerous.”
Investigators warn residents not to approach Ratliff, but to call law enforcement.
Anyone with information on Ratliff’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 911. Those who wish to remain anonymous are encouraged to contact Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454 or use the P3 Tips app.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Ratliff was convicted in 2022 on two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied property and one count of felony larceny.
Ratliff served 14 months in prison and his parole ended Aug. 16, 2024.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
