HAMLET, NC — In a major breakthrough, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 28-year-old Raequan Lameek Ratliff of Hamlet in connection with the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Wendell Robinson Jr. of Ellerbe. The incident, which took place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, escalated into a violent spree across multiple locations, shaking the quiet communities of Ellerbe and Hamlet.
Deputies responded around 6:20 AM to Easterling Avenue in Ellerbe after receiving reports of an unresponsive male in a resident’s yard. Upon arrival, they found Wendell Robinson Jr., who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Sheriff Mark Gulledge, following the shooting, Ratliff allegedly fired shots into parked vehicles at the Ellerbe Manor Apartment complex. He then traveled to Sallie Goins Hill Road in Ellerbe, where he opened fire into a home occupied by a family of three, narrowly avoiding further tragedy.
During the course of their investigation, law enforcement identified Ratliff as the primary suspect. He fled Richmond County the following day, traveling to Rowan County. On August 4, coordinated efforts between the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led to his successful apprehension. Authorities also acknowledged the support of community members who provided valuable information aiding the investigation.
Sheriff Gulledge praised the multi-agency collaboration, emphasizing that “this cooperative effort demonstrates our unwavering dedication to justice, and to the safety of the communities we serve. When agencies work together and citizens step forward, we can achieve great things—even in the face of senseless violence.”
Ratliff was transported back to Richmond County, where he has been formally charged with:
- One count of Felony Murder
- Three counts of Felony Attempted Murder
- Felony Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Dwelling
- Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Two counts of Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property
He is currently being held at the Richmond County Jail with no bond.
Officials remind the public that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This constitutional principle ensures due process and fairness, regardless of the nature or severity of the allegations.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office also clarified that bond amounts are not set by their department, but rather by judicial officials under N.C. General Statute 15A-532, which considers various legal factors in such decisions.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
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