KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) – On February 1 at approximately 7 p.m., detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office served the murder warrant on Rashawn Shareef Pridgen at the Lenoir County Magistrates Office.

Pridgen turned himself over to authorities for the outstanding charges. He was confined in the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and was given no bond pending his first appearance in court. Officials had been searching for Pridgen and following up on tips since the shooting incident occurred on January 31 on Paul’s Path Road in LaGrange with assistance from other agencies including the NCSBI Fugitive Task Force, Greenville Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Goldsboro Police Department, and the Kinston Police Department.

This matter is still under investigation and it is believed that there were other witnesses present at the scene when the shooting occurred who left before deputies arrived.

The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging any other persons that were present when this shooting occurred to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 252-559-6118 or Lenoir County Crime-stoppers at 252-523-4444.

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KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — Lenoir County Deputies are searching for a suspect involved in the murder of a Grifton man.

Rashawn Shareef Pridgen is wanted for the murder of 27-year-old Jalen Jamal Johnson.

Deputies were called to a shooting incident at 6214 Paul’s Path Road in LaGrange around 3 a.m. on January 31st.

When deputies arrived they found Johnson dead at the scene.

After a crime scene investigation and witness interviews, they believe the Pridgen fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.

According to Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram, there was a gathering at the home when the two subjects got in a verbal argument.

Pridgen and Johnson went outside and continued arguing and that led to the shooting.

“This is an unfortunate incident where someone was killed because of an argument,” said Sheriff Ingram in a statement. “We are working to piece together all the information we have been provided to assist in locating the shooter. Our prayers go out to the family of the victim.”

Pridgen is a black male, 34-years-old, 6 foot 3 inches and 170 pounds.

If you have any information regarding this incident or the location of the suspect, please contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office at 252-559-6118 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.