A Whiteville man is behind bars on attempted murder charges after deputies say he allegedly attempted to run over two men during a disturbance at a home on Thompson Town Road, leaving one victim trapped underneath the vehicle and airlifted to a trauma center in critical condition.
Deputies responded Monday to the disturbance in the 3000 block of Thompson Town Road, according to WWAY News 3. Authorities say 43-year-old Earl James Whitman Jr. used a Chevrolet Cavalier in an attempt to run over Mickey Ray Duncan and Jonathan Edward Sealey at the Thompson Town Road home, according to Columbus County News. One of the two men ended up trapped beneath the vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a trauma facility, where he remained in critical condition, per the same account.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Chadbourn Fire and Rescue, Whiteville Rescue and Airlink all responded to assist at the scene, the outlet reports. It is not clear from available reporting which of the two named men was the one trapped under the car, nor has a further medical update been reported beyond the critical condition described immediately after the incident.
Charges Include Attempted Murder and Assault
Whitman was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and one count of damage to property, WWAY News 3 reports. The property damage charge stems from roughly $500 worth of livestock fencing belonging to Tony Hobbs that was allegedly damaged during the incident, according to the same Columbus County News report.
Whitman, who lists an address on Fairfield Drive East in Whiteville, was processed into the Columbus County detention center at 2:41 p.m., according to a follow-up report from Columbus County News. He is being held with bond not authorized, WWAY News 3 reports, and the sheriff's office investigation remains ongoing.
A History of Prior Run-Ins and One Act of Assistance
Court records reportedly show Whitman was previously arrested on charges of possessing crystal methamphetamine, according to the earlier Columbus County News account. He was also arrested in 2024 after allegedly burning a rug, mattress and chairs at his mother's residence and threatening to burn the home down, the outlet reports.
Not all of Whitman's past encounters with law enforcement involved allegations against him. In 2025, he reportedly assisted in the arrest of a break-in suspect at his own home after his dog detained the suspect until deputies arrived, per the same source.
As the investigation continues, additional charges or updates could not be ruled out.
