Eric Andre Thompson Jr. was 29 when he was fatally shot inside an apartment at the Westridge complex, 2047 Pathway Drive in Sanford, North Carolina, on August 25, 2019. Officers responded about 3:15 a.m.; Eric was pronounced dead at the scene. A 22-year-old woman, Jessie Yvonne Ray, was also found with gunshot wounds and was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in stable condition.

An 18-year-old Sanford resident, Jayden Zyonne Rodney Hodges, was arrested at his home and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He was held in the Lee County Jail without bond and scheduled for a first appearance in Lee County District Court.

Eric was born December 16, 1989, in Livingston, New Jersey, and had moved to Sanford with his family. He played basketball in middle and high school and was a devoted father to his children, Amilliyana and Zyir Thompson. If anyone knew Eric or witnessed the events that night, please share what you know.