Erskine Reginald Lawrence, a 50-year-old African American man from Severn, North Carolina, was found in the yard of his Mills Street residence and died of gunshot wounds to his abdomen on June 14, 2021. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as gunshot wounds, and Northampton County deputies discovered him at the scene.

The killing remains unsolved. Despite investigations by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, no arrests have been announced. Governor Roy Cooper offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and Lawrence’s family has posted an additional $5,000 reward. Authorities say the probe has been hindered by a lack of evidence and witnesses.

If anyone has information that could help bring those responsible to justice, please contact the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office or the State Bureau of Investigation.