Two sought for attempted murder

Published 11:46 am Tuesday, July 12, 2016

COMO – The Hertford County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two men involved in a home invasion and shooting near here last week

Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan said 39-year-old Anthony Donnell Robinson of 942 Boone’s Bridge Road is the victim in the case.

Vaughan said Robinson called 9-1-1 (Hertford County Sheriff’s Dispatch) at 10:40 a.m. on July 6 to report he was the victim of a home invasion and had been shot in the leg and stomach.

“He reported that two black males, both wearing masks covering their faces, had kicked in the door at his residence and shot him,” Vaughan said. “He told my dispatcher that he was at the old Dave’s Place (located at the intersection of US 258 and Statesville Road) and would wait there for EMS to arrive.”

Vaughan said Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe and MPD Captain Chris Sumner were the first to arrive at Dave’s Place. There, he said, they conducted the initial interview with Robinson, who informed the two officers that both attackers were wearing white scarves over their faces and had left his residence driving a white “box-style” car. One suspect was wearing a white, “wife-beater” t-shirt while the other wore a red shirt.

Later reports indicated that a white car with Virginia tags was seen in the area of Boone’s Bridge Road on the morning of July 6.

Robinson also informed the MPD officers that his girlfriend was inside the residence at the time of the home invasion, but he believed she was not injured.

It was later learned that the female, 45-year-old Mary Gibson Rustemoglu, had suffered a minor gunshot wound. Rustemoglu reported to the officers that she was in a back bedroom of the home when she heard a noise, prompting her to go to the area of the residence where Robinson was located. There, Rustemoglu said she saw the two, armed suspects and that “several shots were fired.”

She reportedly told the officers she did not know the identity of the intruders.

A short time later, HCSO Investigator Thomas Helms and Chief Deputy Will Liverman arrived at 942 Boone’s Bridge Road to set-up a crime scene. Upon searching inside the residence for evidence of a shooting they discovered one bullet projectile and blood spatter.

Both victims were treated at the hospital for their wounds and have since been released.

Sheriff Vaughan said the investigation continues into learning the identity of the two suspects that forcibly entered Robinson’s home and shot him and his girlfriend.

“When they are located, we will serve warrants on two counts each of attempted murder as well as forcible entry,” Vaughan stated.

Those with information are encouraged to contact the HCSO at 252-358-7800.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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