A Laurinburg man suspected in the Family Dollar store robbery was charged with murder on Thursday.

Carlton Lee Primus, 20, of 15660 Smith Road, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 31-year old Chris McKoy, of Maxton.

McKoy's body was found in Laurel Hill earlier this month.

Primus, who is jailed in Robeson County on armed robbery charges, made his first court appearance before a Scotland County judge Thursday morning.

Sheriff Shep Jones said the arrest was made on solid forensic evidence and believes it will make a strong case for the District Attorney's Office.

"We were just excited to be able to make the arrest and bring some closure to the family," Jones said.

Primus maintains his innocence, Jones said.

McKoy's body was discovered Sept. 6 at about 7:30 a.m. on Rockingham Road between Corbitt Street and Old Wire Road, about two miles southwest of Laurel Hill, according to investigators.

He was shot in the head, chest and hands.

Investigators believe the murder likely happened elsewhere and was dumped on the side of the road.

Jones said investigators recovered a weapon they believe was used in the murder but have yet to locate the vehicle used in dumping McKoy's body.

Investigators have yet to link anyone else to the murder, but left open the possibility of future arrests.

Primus has prior convictions for possession of stolen goods, assault and shoplifting, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections.

He is currently awaiting trial on four felony counts of first degree kidnapping, two felony counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, assault by pointing a weapon and injury to real property for his involvement in the Family Dollar robbery.

Primus was involved in an association of people who committed criminal activities in the Maxton area, including robberies, according to Investigator Earl Haywood.

He said Primus is suspected in at least one robbery being investigated by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.