Mariah Thompson, 15, was shot and killed in Roanoke Rapids on June 22, 2026. She and 20-year-old Patrick Shane Faircloth, both from the Whiteville area, were found fatally shot near Vance and West Eleventh streets. A 19-year-old passenger, Isaiah Cooper, was in the vehicle with them and was uninjured; an officer nearby saw a vehicle flee and briefly detained Cooper at a traffic stop before releasing him.

Investigators identified Eric Lamont Martin Jr. as the primary suspect in the double homicide. Martin was already wanted in connection with a separate June murder in Columbus County. Authorities described him as armed and dangerous and urged the public not to approach him. Cooper was later arrested and charged with two counts of accessory after the fact and one count of obstruction of justice and was being held on bond with a scheduled court appearance.

The community is mourning while law enforcement from Halifax and Columbus counties continue the multi-jurisdictional investigation. If anyone has information about Mariah, Patrick, or the events on June 22, please come forward to assist the inquiry.