Third suspect apprehended in 2023 Hamlet shootout

HAMLET — A man wanted in connection to a shootout last year was taken into custody last week.

Henry R’cale Bethea, 22, is suspected of being involved in a shootout in mid-June of 2023.

Officers with the Hamlet Police Department reportedly responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Taylor and Fisher streets. No injuries were reported, but investigators say homes were shot into on Whitlock Drive, Fisher Street and Taylor Street.

Investigators say Bethea was recently involved in a domestic altercation in Rockingham and he was found at a home in the county.

Bethea was arrested Sept. 25 with help from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Police have charged Bethea with one felony count each of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a weapon into an occupied property; as well as one misdemeanor count each of injury to real property; discharging a firearm in city limits, and possession of a firearm on city property.

Bethea was booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is still being held on a $250,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 6.

One suspect, 24-year-old Tyrese Davis, of Hamlet, turned himself in on June 29 after the department posted stills from security video on its Facebook page.

Davis is facing the same charges as Bethea and his next court appearance is slated for Oct. 7.

Another suspect, 22-year-old Ismael Felix Sanchez Jr., who was also wanted in connection to a violent robbery the month after the Hamlet shootout, was arrested with another robbery suspect by U.S. Marshals in Binghamton, New York in September 2023.

Sanchez was convicted on March 1 of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.

Since his incarceration, Sanchez has racked up five violations: two for fighting; two for disobeying an order; and one for a high risk act.

Records show Sanchez is scheduled for release on Aug. 22, 2028.

Bethea has no prior convictions.

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