Man charged with murder in July Fourth fatality in Carolina Beach

A suspect has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a person in Carolina Beach on Thursday morning.

James Arthur Johnson, a 40-year-old from Laurinburg, is being held without bail at the New Hanover County Jail after the apparent stabbing of an individual on the 600 block of Spencer Farlow Drove, according to a press release from the town of Carolina Beach.

According to the release, Carolina Beach patrol officers were dispatched to the address at 7:40 a.m. Thursday in response to a "person down" call for service. Officers observed the victim at the scene had apparent stab wound injuries and was deceased, the release said.

Patrol officers, after being given a suspect description, were able to locate Johnson and place him under arrest, the release said.

Johnson was taken in front of a New Hanover County magistrate and is awaiting a first appearance, according to the release.

The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available and the victim's next of kin has been notified.