On Saturday, January 13, 2024, at approximately 10:40 PM, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the 500 block of Wayside Road near the intersection of Brock Road in reference to shots fired. Before Deputies arrived to the area, a male victim arrived at Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital with a gunshot wound. The male victim, Mr. Eric Joseph Walters was later pronounced deceased and his next of kin was notified.
On March 11, 2024, Detectives and NC State Bureau of Investigation Agents were able to identify another suspect in this case. Warrants were obtained against Mr. Ronnie Junior Slate for the charges of First-Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property, and Felony Conspiracy.
Mr. Ronnie Slate was taken into custody by Hoke County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and Detectives without incident. Mr. Ronnie was brought before a magistrate and given no bond with a first appearance on March 12, 2024, at the Hoke County Courthouse.
Additional information that was gathered during this investigation also led to the arrest of Rayion Martez Slate on March 22, 2024. Rayion Martez Slate was charged with Felony Conspiracy and Accessory After the Fact.
Rayion Martez Slate was given a $150,000 secured bond with a first court appearance set for March 25, 2024, at the Hoke County Courthouse. If you have more information about this case, please contact Det. Spence at 910-633-1075 or Captain Shipp at 910-633-2824.