A North Carolina triple homicide suspect was on parole for a 1996 murder conviction at the time of Tuesday’s killings, according to Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins.
46-year-old Corey Grant Leak was taken into custody in the Maxton area, according to the sheriff’s office. He is in jail on a $1 million bond.
Leak was on active parole until 2025 after being convicted of murder in 1996, Wilkins said. He was given a life sentence but released in October 2020.
Deputies responded at about 2:45 p.m. to the 100 block of Samuel Williams Drive in the Red Springs area, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies found three people dead.
The victims were identified as 34-year-old Sierra Wherry, 51-year-old Donald Williams, and 45-year-old James Beauregard.
The fourth person was taken to an undisclosed hospital with life-threatening injuries, deputies said.
According to news reports, Leak was Williams-Biggs’ nephew. His 71-year-old aunt, also a mother and grandmother, was allowing Leak, who was on parole for a murder he committed in 1993, to live in her home for free, Wilkins said.
Wherry and Williams, Leak’s cousins, were brother and sister and Williams-Biggs’ children. Beauregard was Leak’s lifelong friend, the sheriff said.
“What has happened here is we have taken away a family,” said Wilkins, adding the family was well respected and loved in their community.
Wherry, according to sources, was visiting Williams-Biggs when the shooting happened.
Police said Leak fired the gun at the victims and fled the scene. The sheriff said it was an argument over money.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is assisting with the investigation, deputies said. Investigators remained at the scene as of 8:10 p.m.
On Wednesday, the sheriff asked for prayers and financial support for the family. Henry Scott, a cousin of Wherry and Williams started a GoFundMe page to raise money to support the families.
No further details were immediately available.
Anyone with information is asked to call 910-671-3100 or 910-671-3170.
Tell us your thoughts...