LAURINBURG — A Laurinburg man will have his first appearance in court today on charges he shot his girlfriend.
Robert Anthony Easterling, 36, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault inflicting serious injuries, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Easterling, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2001, is accused of shooting Melissa Bass, according to Laurinburg police.
The incident occurred at a house at 1209 Turnpike Road belonging to Easterling and Bass, police said. Investigators were at the home most of Tuesday and the house is cordoned off with yellow police tape.
Easterling was arrested a few minutes after dropping Bass off at a hospital at about 7:20 Tuesday morning. He was booked into Scotland County Detention Center and given a $100,000 bond for possession of a firearm by a felon and given no bond on the other charges.
Police said Bass, 32, was shot when she attempted to leave the residence. She was struck in the chest and arm, according to police.
Hospital officials declined to release her condition, but said she was in the Intensive Care Unit as of Tuesday.
Easterling served approximately five years for manslaughter before being released on parole in 2006. He was also convicted of misdemeanor larceny in 2013.
Easterling’s is expected in court this morning.
