Two suspects arrested, charged with robbery, murder at Johnston County convenience store

Two suspects have been arrested and charged in the robbery and shooting death at a Johnston County convenience store last week.

Posted 10:49 p.m. Nov 21, 2019 — Updated 11:04 p.m. Nov 21, 2019

Jason O. Boyd

, WRAL.com editor

BENSON, N.C. — Two suspects have been arrested and charged in the robbery and shooting death at a Johnston County convenience store last week.

Manuel Jamie Patterson, 19, from Kenly, was arrested in Fayetteville on Wednesday in the robbery and shooting death on Nov. 13 at the Scotchman Convenient Store at 12320 NC Hwy. 210 in Benson. He's charged with murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felony conspiracy.

Patterson was also charged in the robbery of the Safeway/Reedy Creak Gas and Grocery store at 9891 NC Hwy. 210 in Four Oaks. He is being held under no bond at the Johnston County Jail.

Bobby Gene McLean, 19, from the Selma/Kenly area, surrendered at the Johnston County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. He is charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is also being held under no bond.

Their arrests are linked to the shooting of Joseph Bowling, 23. Bowling was visiting his mother, who works at the Benson store, and jumped between her and the armed robbers when they demanded her phone, according to his stepfather, Rex Bowling. After he was shot, Joseph Bowling chased the robbers out the door before he died, his stepfather said.

John Wesley Pettiway III (Johnston County Sheriff's Office photo)

Deputies with the sheriff's office said John Wesley Pettiway III, 21 from the Selma area, is still wanted in the murder and robbery. Investigators have warrants on file for Pettiway for murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony conspiracy.

Anyone with information as to the location of Pettiway is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 989-5000.

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