The reward totals $5,000 per victim for a total not to exceed $20,000.

Between the governor’s announcement and private donations from family and friends of the victims, the reward in the case of the murders now exceeds $50,000.

The proclamation, signed by Cooper today, also sheds new details on the deaths of homeowners James and Janice Harris and their guests, James and Peggy Whitley.

It says the four were shot through a glass door while they sat playing cards at the dining room table. All the victims died at the table after they were shot multiple times in an apparent home invasion, the proclamation says.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp declined comment on that portion of the proclamation.

“To preserve law and order the person or persons who committed such an infamous crime must be brought to justice,” the document says.

The proclamation states the reward is for information leading to the arrest and convictions of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

The document says anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201; Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at 919-779-8188.

“I’m very appreciative,” Tripp said. “As I reported earlier, I was in communications with the governor’s office and now the reward is at $51,000. The reward offered is at the discretion of the governor. Normally, it’s $5,000 per case. I thank Governor Cooper for having it at $5,000 per victim. We’re very appreciative of the $5,000 per victim.”

The crime was discovered Monday after a family member of the Harris’s went to the residence for a welfare check.