Tips sought in ‘cold case’ killing of teen near Raeford 11 years ago; student gunned down at 100+ person birthday party

RAEFORD, N.C. (WNCN) — Authorities in Hoke County are making a plea for information in the killing of a teenager at a birthday party 11 years ago.

DeAndre Ricketts, 16, was a junior at Hoke County High School, according to the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office.

DeAndre, who went by the nickname “Papa,” was killed at a party in the 800 block of South Bethel Road early in the morning of Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, officials said.

Gunfire broke out around 2 p.m. at the party, which was just southwest of Raeford and a few blocks from Hoke County High School.

“More than 100 young people were at the party,” Hoke County Sheriff Roderick Virgil said in a news release.

Gunshots were fired from at least five different firearms during the party.

No one else was injured in the shooting.

In mid-2017, a $20,000 reward was offered in the case just as deputies said they were following “new leads” in the investigation.

Four years into the case, deputies had interviewed at least 40 people , but then-Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said he believed the street code of silence kept the killer hidden.

“Please share with family, friends and let’s help bring justice to both the Ricketts and Murchison families,” Sheriff Virgil said this week.

DeAndre was described as funny, driven and athletic.

Sharon Murchison, DeAndre’s mother, said he loved “football, church, he was very active in our church, a lovable kid, didn’t meet strangers.”

In 2017, deputies said that investigators weren’t sure if Ricketts was the target. The motive in the shooting is unknown.

Mother Sharon Murchison said in 2017 she was seeking closure.

“Put yourself in my shoes,” she said. “If it were your child, would you want someone to walk around every day knowing that they killed your child and not come forward?”

Officers said anyone with information should contact Detective Gooselin with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 875-5111 or email the detective at agooselin@hokesheriff.org. People with information can also leave anonymous information on the Hoke County Tip Line at (910) 878-1100.

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