Roxboro man beaten, left for dead; 2 charged with murder, police say

ROXBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- A father of two was attacked in Roxboro and left for dead on a sidewalk, according to the Roxboro Police Department.

Capt. Chris Dickerson said Lawrence Alton Johnson, 52, was killed after an altercation following a card game.

Officers responded to a report of a man lying on the sidewalk after 10 p.m. on Wednesday in the area of Holly Street.

"This area is predominately quiet, a lot of elderly people that live in this area, so for an event like this to occur in that area was shocking to us," said Dickerson.

Police said cameras posted across the city helped in the investigation.

"We couldn't see everything that happened, so we had to fill in some gaps," said Dickerson. "There were some surveillance that did capture the moments (of the attack)."

Investigators said Johnson had wounds consistent with an assault, that led to his death.

Police determined three suspects were involved, two of whom have been arrested. Christopher Lin Royster, 50, and Corey Pettiford, 48, both from Roxboro, have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and common law robbery.

Information on the third suspect who is still on the run has not been released.

The suspects knew the victim, according to investigators.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Lieutenant Jason Howe at (336) 322-6070, or the Tip Line at (336) 322-6072.