Update: 22-year-old arrested in connection with Surf City homicide appears in court
Surf City police are investigating after a woman was found dead Wednesday night at a CBD shop.
According to a Thursday night news release from the town of Surf City, Charles Michael Haywood, 22, is charged in connection with the death. He was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Haywood appeared in Pender County court Friday morning and was held without bond.
According to a Thursday press release, the death occurred Wednesday evening shortly before 7 p.m. at the Exotic Hemp Co. on Hwy 50. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.
District Attorney Ben David said this case "has the potential to be a death penalty case." Haywood was held in jail and was appointed representation of the North Carolina Capital Defender's Office, at the state's request.
"I know that this is a case that has shocked the community," David said. "I know that this is something that a lot of people have turned their attention to, and we are certainly giving this a very high priority in the criminal justice system."
According to an arrest warrant, police said Haywood was armed with a knife during the incident, but officials have not said what weapon was used in the killing. Also according to the warrant, Haywood is accused of stealing $750 worth of merchandise from the store.
Haywood turned himself in at the Surf City Police Department Thursday morning, the release said. Haywood is from Holly Springs in Wake County, the town said, but has been residing in the area during the past few months.
In a news conference Thursday, Surf City Police Chief Phil Voorhees identified the victim as 42-year-old Margaret Nicole Bracey. The department did not say how the victim died.
David confirmed Bracey was an employee at the shop.
Exotic Hemp Co. sells CBD products and is located in Surf City on a stretch of Hwy 50 packed with businesses.
In a Facebook post, the business said, "Our Exotic Hemp family has suffered a horrible tragedy." Exotic Hemp closed all its stores Thursday, including its Hampstead and Wilmington locations.
On Thursday afternoon patrons and employees at other nearby businesses said they were stunned by the death but did not want to comment further.
During Thursday's news conference, Surf City Mayor Douglas Medlin said the incident shocked the coastal beach town.
"The town of Surf City prides itself in maintaining a safe community, and an event like this has never happened here before," Medlin said. "We're thankful to know that the suspect is in custody."
According to a late Wednesday night news release from the town of Surf City, police were searching for the suspect and said he was "armed and dangerous." Thursday's release said the man is no longer a danger to the community.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the man or case is asked to contact the Surf City Police Department at 910-328-7711.
Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Police investigate Surf City death, 22-year-old suspect identified
