Judge sentences Hampstead man to life in prison

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — This afternoon, a Pender County jury convicted a Hampstead man of first-degree murder in the 2013 shooting death of his sister’s fiancé’.

Vincent Edward Smith Jr., 33, killed Donnie Lee Pridgen Jr., 38, at Smith’s family home in Hampstead.

Pridgen was engaged to Smith’s sister and had a child with her.

The District Attorney’s Office says dispute arose between Smith, his sister and his mother. When Pridgen intervened and came to the women’s defense, Smith shot Pridgen, who was unarmed.

The first shot was fired outside the home and struck Pridgen in the thigh. Pridgen, Smiths’ sister, and their one-year-old child tried to get away from Smith by hiding behind the front door of the home.

Smith kicked in the door, reached around it and fired at Pridgen, striking him in the head. Pridgen died at the scene.

The District Attorney’s Office says multiple witnesses were there during the shooting, all of whom were related to Smith. Four were children.

Pridgen ran from the scene immediately after the shooting. No gun was ever recovered.

Smith turned himself in the next day.

Smith was also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a weapon into occupied property.

Judge Imelda Pate sentenced Smith to a life sentence and 33-52 months, to run concurrent to the life sentence.