Herbert Earl Lawrence Jr., 35, died on June 13, 2026, after being shot at a Dollar General on South White Street in Whitakers, North Carolina. Deputies were called about 9:55 a.m. and found Lawrence with a gunshot wound to the chest; emergency responders began life-saving measures but he died of his injuries.

Investigators say a second man, 32-year-old Wilbert Silver III, was found wounded about a half-mile away near Nash and White streets and also later died. Authorities reported the two men had been involved in an argument that escalated into an exchange of gunfire. The shooting occurred during business hours; no customers were believed to be inside, one employee was present, and officials said one of the two men worked at the Dollar General though reports did not clearly identify which man.

No separate suspect or arrests had been announced and deputies said there was no ongoing threat to the public. What led to the argument and the fatal exchange of gunfire remains under investigation. Does anyone have information about either man, their connection to the store, or what happened that morning?