'How would you feel if this were your child?' says uncle of missing 13-year-old double-murder suspect

Relatives of a wanted 13-year-old boy accused in a double murder said Wednesday that the teen is not a threat to anyone and is likely frightened and doesn't know what to do.

Posted 10:51 p.m. Nov 6, 2019 — Updated 1:35 a.m. Nov 7, 2019

Bryan Mims

, WRAL reporter

LUMBERTON, N.C. — Relatives of a wanted 13-year-old boy accused in a double murder said Wednesday that the teen is not a threat to anyone and is likely frightened and doesn't know what to do.

"Now that he's gone, the media is saying he's a threat to the community," said his uncle, Wayne Lambert, who describes himself as the only dad the boy has ever known. "You are talking about a 13-year-old child, (and) he just turned 13! And these charges against him don't mean nothing until he's proved guilty."

Jericho Werrell had been scheduled to appear on Tuesday in court on two counts of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon charges in connection with the deaths of Frank Thomas, 34, and Adam Thomas, 33. The two brothers were found dead in a home they shared last month.

Authorities have not publicly said what led investigators to Jericho and the other suspect, his brother, Derrick Deshawn Hunt, 19, who is facing charges in the case.

The teen was in the custody of the state Department of Public Safety Transport Team when he escaped, wearing a white T-shirt, beige pants and leg restraints but no shoes.

Lambert requested on Wednesday that investigators search the Lumber River because he said his nephew loved to swim.

"I just pray that he's not hung up in there somewhere (because) he's trying to make it home to me," Lambert said. "I was hoping and praying that I would hear a knock on the window last night from him."

Iinvestigators used boats to search the river, and multiple agencies searched on foot and by helicopter.

Jericho's mother told WRAL News that the victims were friends of the family, and she thinks her sons were defending themselves.

Investigators have not said what led to the shooting.

Lambert said he and his sister had asked state officials to find a secure place where professionals could deal with Jericho's behavioral problems, but their requests fell on deaf ears.

Now, he's a wanted fugitive.

"He's got no shoes on (and) he's probably got briars all over his feet," Lambert said. "How would you feel if this was your child? I've cried so much that I can't even shed another tear."

Officials with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Public Safety on Wednesday said there have been no signs of the child and are urging the public to be on the lookout for him. Officials said Wednesday night a $1,500 cash reward is being offered for information that leads to Jerico's arrest.

Suggest A Correction