The man arrested in Saturday’s murder on Ward Drive and the man being sought had gang ties, according to information on the state Department of Correction’s website.
One of the infractions Brandon Watson received in prison was for being in a gang or security threat group, his public offender search on the state Department of Correction website shows.
That infraction occurred in 2007 while Watson, wanted in Saturday’s murder of Antonio Jerod Mills, was serving a prison term for manslaughter in 2005.
Watson and symbols of the Folk Nation set.
While Major Bruce Temple of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office declined to discuss Watson’s gang ties, in giving a physical description of the 24-year-old Roanoke Rapids man, he did say he carries a pitchfork tattoo on his right arm. The pitchfork is associated with the Folk Nation set.
Watson stands 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds. He carries an “HNIC” tattoo on his left hand, a Lil B tattoo on his knuckle. On his left wrist he has a knife with a heart through it and the word “Ashanti.” He has another Lil B on his right arm.
Watson is considered armed and dangerous and the sheriff’s office continues their search for him. He is known to frequent Littleton, Roanoke Rapids and Warren County.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office continues to investigate the Saturday murder and double shooting, which occurred on Ward Drive off Rhea Smith Road.
Kearney
Lester Kearney was arrested in Chapel Hill and is charged with murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Kearney was arrested without incident at a dwelling in Chapel Hill with assistance of the city’s police department and the State Bureau of Investigation.
Kearney, who was jailed in Halifax without the opportunity for bond, received two violations for being in a gang or security threat group.
While Kearney does have tattoos, Temple declined to discuss his gang ties or the tattoos he does have.
The sheriff’s office received a call of shots fired shortly after midnight Saturday morning and learned Mills was murdered. Two other people in the Ward Drive mobile home were shot. They are recovering from their wounds are OK, Temple said, declining to give their names.
As deputies responded an additional 911 call came through that said witnesses were involved in a chase with the suspect vehicle, which was last seen around the Highway 48 and Highway 158 area of Roanoke Rapids.
Investigators learned two men entered the home of Mills and a struggle ensued. The struggle ended after one of the suspects repeatedly shot Mills. Temple Saturday declined to discuss what kind of weapon was used and declined to name the two suspects who were also shot.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-1991 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
