The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announced on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 9:41 p.m., deputies responded to a shooting at the intersection of Huckabee Street and Phillipi Church Road. The victim, Christopher M. Purcell was transported to the local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Hoke County Detectives, Special Operations, and State Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and began an investigation.
On, Monday, August 5, 2024, the State Bureau of Investigations and Hoke County Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the suspect as Cornelius DeShone McDuffie. A warrant for First-Degree Murder, shooting into an Occupied Vehicle and, Possession of Firearm by a felon were issued. Mr. McDuffie was detained on August 5, 2024, without incident and taken before Magistrate at Hoke County Detention Center. Mr. McDuffie was given no bond.
If anyone has any further information regarding this incident, please contact Det. Gore at (910) 875-5111.