ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office is closer to rounding up suspects in a home invasion that resulted in the death of two men on Saturday, Oct. 15.

According to Sheriff Jim McVicker, two women have been arrested and investigators continue to search for two Clarkton men. All four have been charged with first-degree murder.

McVicker said the incident started when Gregory Skinner, 38, of Elizabethtown was dropped off outside the emergency entrance of Columbus County Hospital in Whiteville by a private vehicle. Skinner was pronounced dead at the hospital.

At about the same time, Bladen County’s 911 Center received a call of shots fired and a home being struck by stray bullets near 735 Jacobs Loop Road in the Buckhead community.

Responding deputies went to the Jacobs Loop address and found Donwia Wayne Griffith, 38, of that address dead in the home. They also found two adult females and three minor children hiding in the home, none of whom were injured.

“During the course of the investigation, it was learned that several individuals conspired with Skinner to go to the Griffith residence and rob him,” McVicker said. “During the course of the robbery several shots were fired and both Griffith and Skinner were struck with rounds.”

Arrested were Tamara Rashonia McKoy, 30, of Council and Erin Victoria Pridgen, 29, of Elizabethtown. Both are currently in the Bladen County Jail without bond.

Still at large and being sought for murder are Africa Zachariah Shipman, 35, of Clarkton and Elijah Bruce Brown III, 37, of Clarkton.

“This is an ongoing investigation and we are still searching for the two still at large,” McVicker noted. “Both men have been entered nationwide as wanted (and) we have requested the assistance of the United States Marshall’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit to help us in our search. They should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Shipman or Brown can contact the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at 910-862-6960.

McVicker said additional charges would be made on all those involved.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

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W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com