Bikers rally for wounded Robeson principal

The community rallied to help a Fairmont Middle School principal shot in the face on his way to work, holding a motorcycle ride Sunday to raise money to pay for his medical bills.

Someone in a pickup truck shot James Hunt along Davis Road April 9. Despite a shattered mouth and nose, the former Marine drove 15 miles to a hospital in Lumberton.

Relatives said Hunt will need several reconstructive surgeries, in addition to his initial treatment at Southeastern Regional Medical Center and Duke University Hospital.

His family has been living in a Durham hotel due to safety concerns since the shooting, and Hunt was denied worker's compensation.

On Sunday, dozens of bikers took to the streets for a fun run to raise money for Hunt's mounting expenses.

"The town of Fairmont is behind Mr. Hunt, not just the people at the school," retired teacher Margaret Inman said.

The scenic route took bikers from downtown Pembroke to Lumberton.

Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey has said his office is looking into several leads and is being assisted by the State Bureau of Investigation. Hunt has said he believes the shooting was school-related and possibly gang-related. Sealey has said it's not clear if there was gang involvement.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call the Robeson County Sheriff's Office at 910-671-3100.