Whiteville man charged with accessory after the fact in Columbus County homicide

Columbus County, NC (WWAY) — A Whiteville man has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder in connection with a Columbus County homicide.

According to arrest warrants, 19-year-old Isaiah Napoleon Cooper was arrested June 30th. Investigators allege he knowingly helped murder suspect Eric Lamont Martin Jr. avoid detection, arrest, and punishment after the fatal shooting of Raphael Antonio Gowans.

The charge stems from a June 11th homicide on Berry Lane. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a gunshot victim and found Gowans suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the investigation, deputies identified 18-year-old Eric Lamont Martin Jr. as the suspect.

According to the warrants, Cooper knew Martin had killed Gowans after seeing social media posts from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and was with Martin in Roanoke Rapids when Shane Faircloth and Mariah Thompson were killed on June 22.

Authorities have said Martin is wanted on outstanding first-degree murder warrants.

Cooper is being held in the Columbus County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday in Columbus County District Court.