Michael Jason Scott, 54, of Whiteville, North Carolina, was shot and killed on June 24, 2023 on Ward Street near MLK. He was taken by Whiteville Rescue to Columbus Regional hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The motive for the killing has not been publicly disclosed.

An arrest came on July 3, 2023 when 24-year-old Kenneth Bernard Wooten was charged with first-degree murder and a probation violation; he was held without bond. A second suspect, Nicholas J.C. Mitchell, was later identified and indicted for first-degree murder as an adult; his address was listed as 65 10th St., Bolton. Mitchell turned 18 on February 22, 2024. Both Mitchell and Wooten are being held without bond. Wooten had prior violent-crime charges, including a 2017 murder charge in the death of Jacob Baldwin that later resulted in a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter, and earlier shooting incidents in Chadbourn and an alleged shooting of Christopher Aaron Blackwell. Wooten had been released from prison in May 2023 after serving 17 months and was on post-release supervision at the time of Scott’s death.

Does anyone have information about Scott’s activities or whereabouts on June 24, 2023 that could help investigators or the victim’s family?