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JACKSON – Deshy Gatling of Ahoskie pled guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery here last week in Northampton County Superior Court in a case that dates back to 2017.

Gatling, age 29, was sentenced to 20-to-25 years in prison for killing 50-year-old Edward Phipps at Arrowhead Mobile Home Park, located off NC 35 between Woodland and Potecasi.

That murder occurred Sept. 22, 2017 where Gatling was involved in a robbery / home invasion along with several others.

Phipps was shot several times and passed away later from his injuries.

Gatling was initially charged with one count first degree murder, two counts of first degree kidnapping, six counts of second degree kidnapping, one count of injury to personal property, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of first degree burglary, and one count of larceny after breaking & entering.

The kidnapping charges were due to the fact there were at least eight individuals, to include children under the age of 16, at the Phipps residence at the time of the home invasion. They were all held against their will.

Pursuant to his plea agreement, Gatling was sentenced for second degree murder and armed robbery.

Along with Gatling, four other individuals were arrested and charged less than two weeks after the murder.

Raquan Omar Williams of Woodland was charged with first-degree murder, eight counts of first degree kidnapping, three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count each of first degree burglary, larceny after breaking and entering, and injury to personal property.

Shirley Williams of Murfreesboro, Deshawn Lamont Beverly of Cofield, and Eric Vaughan Jr. were each charged with one count of first degree murder, two counts of first degree kidnapping, six counts of second degree kidnapping, one count of larceny after breaking and entering, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of first degree burglary, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of injury to personal property.

Northampton County Sheriff’s Captain Patrick Jacobs said on Wednesday of this week that R. Williams, S. Williams, Beverly, and Vaughan have yet to stand trail in the murder case.