WOODLAND – A 15-year-old male suspect is currently in custody, charged in the homicide of an elderly Woodland resident on Thursday.

In a statement issued shortly after 4 pm on Friday, Captain Patrick Jacobs of the Criminal Investigations unit of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, reported that Joseph Stephen Odom, age 75, was shot and killed at his residence, located at 1483 NC 35 South, Woodland.

Other than identifying the age and gender of the suspect, Jacobs said no information pertaining to the alleged shooter’s identity can be released at this time. The first court appearance for the suspect is also unknown at this time.

“We’re treading very lightly on releasing any information on this case right now,” Northampton Sheriff Jack Smith told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald late Friday afternoon. “We are still investigating this case and perhaps we’ll be at a point early next week where we’ll be able to share more information.”

It is known that Northampton deputies responded to the scene at around 6:45 p.m. Thursday. Shortly thereafter, Sheriff Smith summoned the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.

Smith and his team of investigators along with the SBI remained at the crime scene late into the night. The Woodland Police Department was also at the scene.

Jacobs said the suspect has been detained and is currently in custody on charges of first degree murder. There was no information on how this suspect was identified as the alleged shooter.

Additionally, no information was shared on what type of weapon was used.

“No further details or information will be disclosed at this time and will be disclosed at a later date. This investigation is ongoing by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations,” per the statement released from the NCSO Friday afternoon.