A Roanoke Rapids man who was sentenced to supervised release in July was charged in a September murder on Franklin Street.

Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said Ronnie Washington, 36, was jailed without opportunity for bond Thursday evening and will appear in district court January 2 to answer to a charge of murder.

A warrant for Washington’s arrest was issued on December 6 and Deputy Raymond Chin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office took him into custody Thursday evening.

Martin declined comment on motive of the murder due to the ongoing investigation. A report on the matter indicates Washington allegedly fired at 26-year-old Andrew Bell multiple times.

Martin also declined to discuss the relationship between the victim and Washington.

Martin credited the issuance of a warrant in the September 29 case to “continued investigation by detectives of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.”

State Department of Public Safety records show on September 18 Washington received a suspended sentence with 12 months of supervision for misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Martin said Washington was apprehended without trouble.

The murder occurred in the area of West Tenth and Vance and Franklin streets.

At the time the police department said it received a call at approximately 9:30 p.m. of shots fired.

When officers arrived they were flagged down and told about a person with gunshot wounds lying between two vacant residences.

The victim was transported by Halifax County EMS to Halifax Regional. While at the hospital the victim died from wounds they sustained.