On December 19, 2023, at about 6:15 p.m., officers from the Laurinburg Police Department responded to a shooting at Harry O’s Food Mart on Old Lumberton Road. They found 38-year-old Aiken Robert Purvis with a gunshot wound; Purvis was taken to Scotland Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead. Purvis was born May 18, 1985, and lived in Laurinburg. Funeral services were held December 30, 2023, at The Kenneth M. Purcell Memorial Chapel, with interment at Hillside Memorial Park.

Authorities identified 42-year-old Roy Franklin Campbell of Laurinburg as the primary suspect; warrants for murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon were issued. On December 20, 2023, Campbell surrendered and was taken into custody, held without bond at the Scotland County Detention Center. The relationship between Purvis and Campbell and the motive have not been disclosed. The Laurinburg Police Department is investigating and asks anyone with information to contact them or Scotland Crimestoppers.

If anyone knew Aiken Purvis or has information about what happened at Harry O’s on December 19, please contact Laurinburg police or Scotland Crimestoppers.