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Ryan Hogan, 22, died at his house in the Shady Grove Mobile Home Park in Mebane. The Sheriff's Office is investigating it as a homicide.
Times-News
Rachel Berry, Times-News
MEBANE — Jay Hampton didn't notice anything out of the ordinary at first. It was after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, and he was returning from spending labor day weekend at the beach.
He brought in some clothes to the home he shared with Ryan Hogan, 22, who had decided to stay home from the beach trip and save money to spend on his upcoming birthday.
As Hampton walked in the door of the house at Shady Grove Mobile Home Park, through the living room, he could see his roommate's body lying on the kitchen floor.
At first, Hampton thought it was a suicide. It didn't look like there was much of a struggle, he said, and he didn't see any bullets near the door that would suggest Hogan had shot at an intruder.
Thoughts raced through Hampton's mind of how Hogan could do this to himself.
It wasn't until later that Hampton noticed that the lock on the front door had been broken.
Detectives are investigating his death as a homicide, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office. Deputies say Hogan died from a single gunshot wound.
A witness told the Sheriff's Office they saw an older model burgundy Honda Accord park near Hogan's home. The witness saw two men get out of the car and walk toward the house. The witness then lost sight of them but heard two loud bangs that sounded like gunshots. The men then ran back to the car and sped out of the mobile home park, the witness told authorities.
Nicholas Rogers, a neighbor, also told the Times-News that he heard two gunshots early Tuesday morning. At that point, he went inside his home and didn't see the suspects.
Hampton said Hogan didn't have any enemies, and he couldn't think of anyone who would have wanted to harm him.
"I don't know why he was targeted, but he was a really good person," Hampton said.
Hogan was outgoing, Hampton said. He always tried to get along and to please everyone and avoid conflict.
Hampton described him as a hard worker who had been employed at Sports Endeavors in Mebane.
The suspects have yet to be identified, and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office at 336-570-6300 or Alamance County Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100 or www.p3tips.com.
