Horry Co. police help arrest wanted NC murder suspect
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WPDE) — A man was arrested in connection to a homicide investigation that happened last year in Clarendon, according to the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.
On Jan. 9, 2022, deputies arrived at the 2500 block of M M Ray Road, in the Clarendon area. Officers were responding to reports of shots being fired at the location.
Before they arrived on the scene, officers received calls about an overturned vehicle in the same area.
Once they were there, they found an overturned black Jeep Wrangler on the shoulder of M M Ray Road. Deputies found a person dead in the vehicle who was later identified as Julian Juan Fipps, 31.
According to reports, he died due to gunshot wounds.
TRENDING: Woman, 3 minors arrested in deadly Horry County missing person investigation
Deputies and Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators collected multiple shell casings from the scene.
After further investigation, search warrants were executed on the Jeep Wrangler and related cellular devices.
On Monday, Columbus County deputies, along with Horry County Police Dept. arrested Xavier Antonio Rayquan Thomas, 21, of Tabor City. He is currently being held in J. Reuben Long Detention Center awaiting extradition.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have information related to this case, please contact Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 910-640-6629.
