Margie Pipkin, 72, of Erwin, North Carolina, was killed on July 19, 2021, after she was struck in the head by gunfire while stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Bunnlevel and Beaver roads. She had been running errands and was described as an innocent bystander; she was taken to hospital where her three children remained with her until she died.

Investigators identified two suspect vehicles and distributed flyers with photos to the public. Tips from the community led to the identification of 28-year-old Artis Lewis Elliott of Erwin as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Elliott, who was described as armed and dangerous; he later turned himself in and was taken into custody.

Sheriff Wayne Coats said the shooting was tied to an ongoing feud and that Pipkin was not the intended target. The sheriff’s office said Elliott had been aiming at someone in another vehicle. Does anyone who lived in the area at the time have information about the vehicles or the feud that might help the investigation?