Police searching for man in 1996 cold case killing

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (AP) — Fayetteville police are searching for a man in connection with the 1996 slaying of an 18-year-old man who was found shot to death in a car.

Police said in a news release Thursday that they have secured warrants to arrest 36-year-old Johnny Frank Bell Jr. on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Bell’s last known address was in Fayetteville.

Authorities say Mark Blackmon Jr. was found shot dead Oct. 15, 1996 behind the steering wheel of a car.

At the time, investigators said they could find no reason anyone would want to kill Blackmon, who did not have a lengthy criminal record.

Police have not said what led them to connect Bell to the shooting.

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