LAURINBURG — Authorities are conducting separate investigations into the deaths of two Laurinburg men.

Laurinburg Police Chief Darwin “Duke” Williams said the body of 21-year-old Dashawn Bland was discovered Friday by a man walking near some woods off McKay Street.

Williams said investigators are trying to piece together Bland’s day to determine what may have lead to his death.

Williams said investigators have also reached out to Bland’s family in Bennettsville, South Carolina, the town where he lived before moving to Laurinburg. Bland lived on Pine Street.

Police were also able to recover cameras near the area where Bland was shot, according to the chief.

Williams said the case is like trying find a missing pieces to a puzzle.

“I guess we have to make the puzzle fit to determine what happened and what took place,” he said.

Williams would not disclose how many times Bland had been shot or what type of weapon was used. He also declined to release any information from the autopsy.

“The case is still actively under investigation,” Williams said.

The State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.

If you have any information, you’re asked to call Laurinburg police at 910-276-3211.

Hit and run

Authorities in South Carolina are investigating the hit-and-run death of 27-year-old Stephen Locklear of Laurinburg.

An autopsy has confirmed that Locklear, whose body that was found on the side of US 15/401 in McColl early Saturday, died as a result of being hit by a car.

Marlboro County Coroner Tim Brown identified the victim as Stephen Locklear, 27. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Brown said.

Locklear was walking along U.S. 15 heading north when a northbound vehicle struck him and fled the scene, authorities said.

“We have no description of the vehicle at this time,” said Judd Jones with South Carolina Highway Patrol. “There are no suspects at this time.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Crimestoppers of the Pee Dee at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Dashawn Bland.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bland.jpgDashawn Bland.

By Abby Hackmann

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Reach Abby Hackmann at 910-276-2311.