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Slaying probed
Martinsville man shot in Henry County
Monday, June 11, 2012
By AMANDA BUCK - Bulletin Staff Writer
An autopsy likely will be done today on the body of a man who was shot to death Saturday night in a mobile home park in the Eastwood area of Henry County, said Henry County Sheriff’s Lt. Eric Winn.
Deputies were called to 31 Jade Court around 7:12 p.m. Saturday on a report of a shooting, according to Winn and a news release. When deputies arrived, they found Maurice Centell Clanton, 31, of 1126 Drewry Road, Martinsville, “lying on the ground with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds,” the release said.
Clanton was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.
Investigators have spoken with a person they believe was involved in the incident, and that person is cooperating, the release said.
The person, who was not named, had not been charged and was not being held in police custody, Winn said.
“We have no reason to believe he would flee,” the lieutenant said. “He is cooperating.”
Winn added that investigators believe there is “no ongoing threat to the public at this time.”
According to Winn, several people had gathered to hang out at a home in the area before the shooting took place. Investigators are interviewing those people, he said.
He declined to say whether police are considering self-defense in the case. He also would not disclose any information about a possible motive.
“We’re still investigating and pursuing every angle to determine what happened,” Winn said.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 638-8751 or the Crimestoppers Program at 63-CRIME (632-7463).
Crimestoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
Assisting with the investigation were the Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Ridgeway Rescue Squad.
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