SPENCER — Authorities have charged a third suspect in the Oct. 8 shooting deaths of Antonio “Tony” Walker and James “Junior” Walker Jr.

James Michael Robinson, Jr., 23, was arrested this morning in Roanoke Rapids and charged with murder, Spencer Police Michael James said in a news release. Robinson is in the Hailfax County Jail pending transfer back to Rowan County.  Robinson’s last known address is in Salisbury.

Investigators previously charged Kenneth Wayne Abel Jr., 23, and Darius Obryan Abel, 24, with two counts of murder apiece.

“These are the only suspects identified at this time but the investigation is continuing and I can make no additional comments since this is an ongoing investigation,” James said in the news release.

Family members who were with the victims at their Fifth Street home on the night of Oct. 8 said three men wearing gorilla masks walked in the door with guns. Angie Walker White, 29-year-old Tony Walker’s mother, said they asked for him by name before finding him in a back bedroom and shooting him.

He managed to stumble into the family’s living room before he died. His uncle, Junior Walker, 43, tried to defend the family but was beaten with his own handgun and shot by one of the intruders, family members said. He died at the scene.

James credited collaboration of the Spencer Police Department, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Salisbury Police Department for the quick arrests.

“Words are not sufficient to express my appreciation to Sheriff Auten and his personnel for their assistance. The assistance of the NCSBI has been phenomenal,” he said. “Spencer Police personnel have worked long hours to solve this case as well, and I appreciate their diligence.

“The message is very clear, if you commit a crime, law enforcement will work together to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

James asks anyone has additional information regarding this case to contact the Spencer Police Department during business hours at 704-633-3574 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.