By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A North Carolina community is mourning the death of two teenagers after they were gunned down in Roanoke Rapids last week.
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As if that wasn’t enough for the area, Columbus County is also coping with the death of Deputy Damien Bost, who was killed in a crash along U.S 74 on Thursday. Bost, who lived in the Columbus County community of Nakina, leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.
The Roanoke Rapids gunfire that killed a teenage girl and a young man was reported very early Monday morning at the intersection of Vance and 11th West streets, according to a Roanoke Rapids Police Department news release.
Officers said two young people from Whiteville in Columbus County, Mariah Thompson, 15, and Patrick Shane Faircloth, 19, died from the gunfire. The identities were first reported by The News Reporter of Columbus County.
The initial report from police said a Roanoke Rapids officer was nearby when the gunfire broke out and spotted a car fleeing the scene. Police chased the car, with the driver caught in the Lincoln Heights area, police said.
A 19-year-old man from Whiteville was the driver who was later interviewed and released, police said.
A teacher who taught Mariah recently wrote that her death deeply affected the school community.
Mariah Thompson, 15, of Whiteville, who was killed in Roanoke Rapids on Monday, June 22. Photo courtesy: gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-mariah-thompson 
Mariah Thompson, 15, of Whiteville, who was killed in Roanoke Rapids on Monday, June 22. Photo courtesy: gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-mariah-thompson Mariah Thompson, 15, of Whiteville, who was killed in Roanoke Rapids on Monday, June 22. Photo courtesy: gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-mariah-thompson
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“This is one of many losses I have experienced through the years, but losing someone so young is especially difficult,” Susan Baldwin wrote on GoFundMe, adding she also taught Mariah’s mother.
Baldwin said she also taught Mariah’s siblings, and she can remember Mariah’s smile.
“We just talked about her getting older one of the last days of school,” Baldwin said, adding that the GoFundMe will assist with a funeral.
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The death of Patrick Faircloth, along with Mariah, left many mourning in Columbus County.
“Patrick, my heart is completely broken for you. I don’t know what to say because I know words have absolutely no meaning right now,” Renee Nealy wrote on his obituary page. “Please know, as your friend, I will be praying for you.”
Police said anyone with information about the double killing should contact the Roanoke Rapids Police Department or the Halifax County Crime Stoppers at (252) 583-4444.
The traffic death of Columbus County Deputy Bost, 30, of Nakina, was a “gut-wrenching loss,” the Fraternal Order of Police Coastal Carolin aLodge 12 wrote.
Bost, who served for eight years with the sheriff’s office, was working along a U.S. 74 construction zone near Hallsboro Road when a tractor-trailer in the westbound lane hit his cruiser, officials said. The crash killed Bost and injured a construction worker.
The truck driver was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving, and failure to reduce speed.
“We stand in solidarity with the family of Deputy Draper Bost, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, friends, and students who knew him, holding hope and strength for a brighter future in his memory,” Columbus County EMS wrote on social media.
Bost’s funeral is planned for Monday at South Columbus High School, according to the sheriff’s office. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Funeral services with full honors are at the same location starting at 1 p.m., followed by burial at the Watts Cemetery in Nakina.
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