Update: One person still wanted in deadly home invasion, 3 behind bars

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – Three people are now charged in a deadly home invasion, while the search continues for one other suspect.

It happened Saturday night in the Buckhead community of Bladen County.

Sheriff James McVicker said the investigation began when Gregory Skinner, 38, of 1823 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, was dropped off outside the emergency entrance of Columbus County Hospital in Whiteville by a private vehicle. Skinner was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Around the same time, Bladen County 911 received a call of shots fired and a home being struck by stray bullets near 735 Jacobs Loop Road in the Buckhead community.

Deputies responded and found resident Donwia Wayne Griffith, 38, dead inside the home. They also found two women and three children hiding in the home. They were not hurt.

Sheriff McVicker says during the investigation, detectives learned that several people conspired with Skinner to go to Griffith’s home and rob him. During the robbery, several shots were fired and both Griffith and Skinner were hit. Griffith died at the scene and Skinner died at Columbus County Hospital.

Deputies arrested Tamara Rashonia McKoy, 30, of 11676 Rosindale Road, Council and Erin Victoria Pridgen, 29, of 164 North Singletary Road, Elizabethtown.

They are in the Bladen County Jail charged with First Degree Murder and are under no bond.

Africa Shipman

Elijah Brown, III

Elijah Bruce Brown III, 37, of 4653 Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road, Clarkton also turned himself in today and is charged with murder.

Deputies say Africa Zachariah Shipman, 35, of 1482 Jenkins Road, Clarkton is still wanted for murder.

Sheriff McVicker said more charges are likely.