Milton Cummings, a 57-year-old man from Lumberton, North Carolina, was found dead in his Powhatan Drive home on August 26, 2014, following a violent home invasion. Two masked men forced their way into the residence, and during the altercation Cummings’ throat was slashed. His mother and a 7-year-old grandchild were present but were not physically harmed.

An investigation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Michael Allen Rose of Pembroke. Rose was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and second-degree kidnapping. Court records cited a prior criminal history for Rose including possession of a firearm by a felon, harassment, trespassing, and several minor narcotics charges. Community members remembered Cummings as a good neighbor, and some found suggested motives of revenge hard to reconcile with his character.

If anyone knew Milton Cummings or has information about the events on Powhatan Drive that night, please share what might help the case.