On January 9, 2023, at about 8:45 p.m., deputies answered reports of shots fired and an overturned vehicle on M M Ray Road in Clarendon, North Carolina. Responding officers found a black Jeep Wrangler on the shoulder; inside was 31-year-old Julian Juan Fipps, deceased of fatal gunshot wounds. Multiple shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Fipps, born June 19, 1991, lived in Nakina and worked in industrial construction for Fippco, Inc. He is survived by his parents, a son, a sister, grandparents, nephews, a niece, and a special friend. His funeral was held January 16, 2023, at Sweet Home Baptist Church, with burial at Coleman-Ward Cemetery in Nakina.

Investigators arrested 21-year-old Xavier Antonio Rayquan Thomas of Tabor City on January 16, 2023; he was taken into custody in Horry County, South Carolina, on a fugitive warrant and later charged with murder in connection with Fipps’ death and held without bond. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 910-640-6629.

Does anyone have information about movements on M M Ray Road that night or other details that could help the investigation?