By Doug Clark

Assistant Editor

A $5,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed a 31-year-old Clinton man on New Year’s Day.

That is the official word from the governor’s office, whose staff, as of Tuesday morning, announced a $5,000 reward for the tip that leads Clinton Police detectives to the person responsible for the murder of Manuel DeJesus Martinez, 31, of 10 Wildflower Road.

According to detective Russell Strickland, the department contacted the Office of the Governor last month in hopes of securing the reward and bringing more interest, all in an effort to help get that crucial lead that will direct them to Martinez’s killer.

“We contacted the governor’s office, and they have a program that, in certain cases, they will provide an award for the arrest and conviction,” Strickland said.

But, he pointed out, there are a few caveats. “The person would have to come forward and cooperate with the investigation fully, telling us what they know about it; They should also know that it wouldn’t be anonymous and that until there is a conviction that money is not available. However, the money has been officially appropriated for us and ready for us if, and when, we need it. This is just another step that we are taking to try and help bring this case to a close.”

The murder occurred on the first day of the new year. A call was made to 911, reporting a disturbance at 413 Vance St. in Clinton around 9:52 a.m. When officers arrived, they found two men shot — one dead at the scene and one barely clinging to life.

Martinez was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound and Marlon Lobo Lobo, also of 10 Wildflower Road, was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, also with a single gunshot wound. Lobo was listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital in the days following the shooting; he has since been released.

The suspect in the case is believed to be a slender-built man, wearing dark pants and a dark hoodie. Reports state that the man fled the scene out the rear door of the Vance Street residence and has not been seen since.

“We are still getting leads that are coming in and we are following up on those leads,” Strickland said. “We just don’t have the crucial information that we need.

“We are not at the point of an arrest yet. So anything that the public can provide will help us. A lot of cases in the past that we put in the paper, people would see the article and call us. The public has solved a lot of cases for us. And hopefully, with this money, it will give someone the incentive, who didn’t have that incentive before, to step forward.”

The anonymous tip line at the department is 590-3009. You can also report a crime on the City of Clinton website at www.cityofclintonnc.com/police or email a tip to vice@cityofclinton.us.