Crime
69-year-old Lacey Cole Jr charged in shooting death of 71-year-old William Pressley in Robeson County
A Fairmont man has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his brother, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday.
Lacey Cole Jr., 69, faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear.
He is currently being held at the Robeson County Detention Center without bond.
The incident occurred on Monday morning. Deputies responded to reports of a shooting around 10:50 a.m. in the 1400 block of Williamson Road.
Upon arrival, they discovered 71-year-old William Pressley, also of Fairmont, deceased at the scene.
Investigators have not disclosed further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170.
The investigation remains active, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Authorities have identified the suspect in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of longtime Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
During an afternoon press conference, FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed that Phoenix Ikner was responsible for opening fire near the university’s Student Union Building, killing two individuals and injuring six others.
The incident unfolded around 11:50 a.m. on April 17, when the gunman began shooting on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said. Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital following the incident.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell detailed the law enforcement response, stating that officers confronted Ikner and opened fire when he failed to comply with commands.
He was subsequently subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the suspect is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, a veteran of the department with over 18 years of service.
“She has performed her duties with distinction,” McNeil stated, expressing support for Deputy Ikner during what he described as a devastating moment for her and the department.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun previously issued to Deputy Ikner before she transitioned to a new service weapon.
It was reportedly her personal firearm. Authorities also found a shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene, though it remains unclear whether it was discharged during the attack.
“We are continuing to investigate the role each weapon may have played and whether the suspect had access to additional firearms,” McNeil said.
Chief Revell added that Phoenix Ikner had been a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council and had participated in several law enforcement-related programs over the years.
“It’s not surprising to us that he had some level of access to firearms given his history within the agency’s youth programs,” Revell stated.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that Ikner has so far refused to cooperate with investigators or provide any explanation for his actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the investigation and has requested that anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information or media uploads related to the incident submit tips through their official website at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
FSU remains under heightened security as law enforcement continues to process the scene and gather evidence.