Deputies arrest shooting suspect, man with gun and meth in East Rockingham

ROCKINGHAM — Two men were arrested by deputies Wednesday, one of them wanted on charges related to a shooting.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to Mill Street in East Rockingham in reference to 22-year-old Artavis Jahie Duncan, who was wanted by the Rockingham Police Department for attempted murder.

Investigators with RPD allege that Duncan walked into someone’s yard on Mill Road around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The reported victim told Duncan to leave and as he was doing so, Duncan allegedly turned around and fired several shots.

The reported victim wasn’t hit, but two vehicles were, according to police.

Duncan was apprehended and turned over to RPD officers.

He is charged with: attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon; possession of a firearm by a felon; discharging a firearm in city limits; and two counts of injury to personal property.

Duncan was booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is being held without bond, awaiting a court appearance on Oct. 17.

While in the area, deputies were reportedly informed that a man sitting on a picnic table — 19-year-old Isaac Daniel Sessoms of Rockingham —may have had outstanding warrants as well as a stolen handgun.

Deputies reportedly found a 9mm handgun in Sessoms’ waistband and an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine.

According to the sheriff’s office, the serial number had been removed from the handgun and deputies were unable to determine if it was stolen.

Sessoms was arrested and charged with: possession of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number.

Investigators say Sessoms was booked on a 10,000 secured bond, however it appears he has been released. His court date is also slated for Oct. 17.

Sessoms has pending charges of carrying a concealed weapon, speeding, reckless driving, and two counts of driving while license revoked, online court records show.

Duncan was convicted in 2022 of assault inflicting serious bodily injury, according to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.

Sessoms appears to have no prior convictions.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.