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By LANCE MARTIN

rrspin.com

ROANOKE RAPIDS – A house fire just outside the city limits of Roanoke Rapids Wednesday turned into a death investigation after a Garysburg man was found inside with a fatal gunshot wound.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the Nations Road residence to assist the Rheasville Volunteer Department with a suspicious house fire. Deputies responded shortly after 5:45 p.m.

Firefighters reported to deputies that upon entering the home they located a pot on the stove that had been overheated and caused heavy smoke.

Once the smoke cleared, the firefighters discovered a deceased male inside the home.

Investigation by detectives led to the discovery of Willie Carl Clements, 58 of Garysburg. Clements died from an apparent gunshot wound and early indication is that the pot was left on the stove intentionally to conceal the man’s death.

Hall said it appears Clements was a visitor to the home.

Asked about potential suspects or people of interest in the case, Hall said he could not get into those details.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201, Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or by using the P3 tips app.

(Lance Martin is the Editor and Publisher of www.rrspin.com. Permission was received to publish this story.)