Although they believe they have may found the weapon, investigators with the Clinton Police Department are still searching for a male suspect involved in the shooting that took place at Cliff’s Fast Stop last Thursday night.

Although no names were released, Det. Sgt. Darryl Grady said he expects the man will be brought in soon.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Grady noted Wednesday afternoon. “We are looking for the suspect that we believe is the shooter and when we make contact with him, charges may be pending.We are confident we will be able to locate him.”

The incident took place around 7:22 p.m. May 19, when an unknown male began shooting into a vehicle parked at Cliff’s Fast Stop, located at 500 Lisbon St. The vehicle was occupied by Sally Deaver, 34, and Tyrone Chevallier, 32, both of Clinton. Chevallier received a minor injury to his hand and later refused treatment at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

Grady said the shooting incident, that spawned a high-speed chase and led to the arrests of Brandon Lemar Bell, 22, of 2812 East Darden Street, Faison, and Calvin Jamal Brice, 18, of 103 Tyndall Court, Clinton, had been brewing since May 8. Bell and Brice are believed to be involved with four other reported assaults in connection with Chevallier and Worley Spearman, however, no charges in those cases have been filed against them.

Bell was charged with driving while impaired, speeding to elude arrest, careless and reckless driving, and resist, delay, and obstructing a law enforcement officer and Brice was arrested and charged with assault by pointing a gun after the chase. Of the two other suspects, one was captured and later released. The fourth suspect, believed to be the shooter, fled on foot.

At the time of the chase, one of the suspects threw out what was believed to be a gun on the side of the road.

“We found a gun over the weekend,” noted Grady. “It is the same caliber of gun used in the shooting and we are sending it off to be tested with the other physical evidence we found at the crime scene.”

The report noted that there were 7 to 8 shots fired during the incident.

Grady feels the last suspect can complete the case.

“I think we will be able to wrap this up when we get him in here,” he said. “He is the shooter at Cliffs. We are not clear about the motive of the shooting, but it is tied into the other incidents ...some type of disagreement between the two groups.”

The Clinton Police Department requests any citizen with information about these assaults to contact Grady at 910-592-3105.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.