Murder suspects sought
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on October 1, 2008 1:53 PM
Eric Lamont Best had had recent trouble with the law, but investigators are not yet saying what may have led to his murder or the two suspects allegedly connected to it.
Best was found suffering from a gunshot wound in a driveway on Mimosa Street last Thursday and later died of his injuries at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Two people are wanted in the death, including Cleveland Ward, 30, of Hereford Drive and James Sanders, 34, of Brewington Drive, Dudley.
Best's name frequently appeared on Goldsboro city arrest reports in recent years.
In April, Best was charged with breaking and entering, two counts of second-degree trespassing and failure to appear in court.
In September of 2007, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon.
Then, in December of 2007, he was charged with driving while license revoked and a domestic communicating threats charge.
Those incidents may or may not have anything to do with warrants issued for Ward and Saunders, each on one open count of murder, the police department's spokesman said.
"I don't want to speculate at this time what may have led to this, because it could be wrong," Sgt. Chad Calloway said. "I'm not familiar with him being a gang member."
Police named Investigator K.Z. Powers as the lead on the case, and requested that tips about the whereabouts of Saunders and Ward be directed to the investigator, at 919-580-4242, or by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 919-735-2255.