St. Pauls: Roman Morales charged with murder in Howard's death
WPDE and The Robesonian, both citing Chief Michael Owens, report a shooting about 7 p.m. Thursday on McLean Street. A 34-year-old woman died. The outlets do not spell her first name the same way. Roman Morales, 34, is charged with second-degree murder. That charge is an accusation.
By Alexandru Stanciu · Published
What we know
Confirmed
- A woman, 34, was shot and died after a shooting about 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at a home on McLean Street in St. Pauls. WPDE and The Robesonian both attribute that account to Police Chief Michael Owens. Neither story prints a house number. This story does not add one.Confirmed by St. Pauls Police Chief Michael Owens, via WPDE and The Robesonian
- WPDE spells her first name Sucoria. The Robesonian spells it Sequoia. Both use the surname Howard and the age 34. This story does not pick a first name.Confirmed by WPDE; The Robesonian
- Both outlets, citing Owens, identify Roman Morales, 34, as Howard's boyfriend. He is charged with second-degree murder and is held at the Robeson County Detention Center. Both say a Friday morning first appearance ended with no bond.Confirmed by WPDE, citing Chief Michael Owens; The Robesonian, citing Chief Michael Owens
- The Robesonian also reports a charge of discharging a firearm within the city limits. WPDE's story does not list that count.Confirmed by The Robesonian
- WPDE, citing Owens, says Morales later turned himself in. The Robesonian says he was arrested later Thursday evening. The two accounts do not match.Confirmed by WPDE; The Robesonian
- Owens told both outlets that an argument came before the shooting, and that the Robeson County Sheriff's Office assisted. Both say the investigation is still open. Both say children were in the home. This story does not describe any child.Confirmed by Chief Michael Owens, via WPDE and The Robesonian
Alleged or reported
- Roman Morales committed second-degree murder in the death of Howard, 34.Charge reported by WPDE and by The Robesonian, citing St. Pauls Police Chief Michael Owens. A charge is an accusation. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court
- Morales discharged a firearm within the St. Pauls city limits.Additional charge reported only by The Robesonian. WPDE's story does not list it. A charge is an accusation
Still unknown
- Which first name is correct. WPDE spells it Sucoria. The Robesonian spells it Sequoia
- What the argument was about. Owens said further details were not released, WPDE reported
- Whether Morales turned himself in or was arrested later Thursday. The outlets do not agree
- A court date past the Friday first appearance, and any statement from Morales or from a lawyer for him
- A written St. Pauls Police Department release read for this file. The two news stories are the record used here
What this means for you
- Public safety
- A woman died and a man is in jail, accused. The investigation is still open, both outlets reported. Do not approach anyone you think is involved. This story is not an official or emergency notice. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Instructions from St. Pauls Police Chief Michael Owens, via WPDE and The Robesonian
Triangle Local is not the St. Pauls Police Department or the Robeson County Sheriff's Office. For a police or medical emergency, call 911.
What happened
In St. Pauls, a 34-year-old woman is dead after a Thursday evening shooting on McLean Street, and police have charged Roman Morales with second-degree murder.
WPDE and The Robesonian both cite Police Chief Michael Owens. They agree on the time, about 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, and on the place, a home on McLean Street. Neither story prints a house number. This one does not either.
The woman was 34. WPDE spells her first name Sucoria. The Robesonian spells it Sequoia. Both use the surname Howard. The outlets do not agree, so this account is not choosing a first name.
The charge
Both stories, citing Owens, identify Morales, 34, as Howard's boyfriend. He is charged with second-degree murder and is held at the Robeson County Detention Center. A Friday morning first appearance ended without bond, both outlets report.
A charge is an accusation. He is presumed innocent unless he is proven guilty in court. The stories checked here do not include a statement from him or from a lawyer.
The Robesonian also reports a charge of discharging a firearm within the city limits. WPDE does not list that count.
How he came into custody is not the same in the two stories. WPDE, citing the chief, says he later turned himself in. The Robesonian says he was arrested later Thursday evening. This account does not pick one.
What investigators have said, and what they have not
Owens told both newsrooms that an argument came before the shooting. WPDE adds that further details about the argument were not released. What it was about stays unknown.
Both pages say children were in the home. They are not described here.
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office assisted St. Pauls police, both outlets reported, citing the chief. The investigation remains open.
An earlier St. Pauls file, a Clark Street shooting on Oct. 27, is a different case.
More Robeson County reporting is on the county page. Public safety stories are collected under public safety.
Triangle Local is not the St. Pauls Police Department and not an emergency service. If anyone is in danger, call 911.
Photos
Text-only. No booking photos, home photos or outlet photos are used here.
Why it matters
A woman is dead after a shooting at a home on McLean Street in St. Pauls, and police have charged a man with second-degree murder. Readers need the first-name conflict left visible, no house number, no description of children, and a clear line between the charge and what is proved.
Updates
Nov 8, 2026, 12:44 PM
First published. Second-degree murder charge against Roman Morales, 34, from WPDE and The Robesonian, both citing Chief Michael Owens. First name left in conflict. No house number. Children mentioned only as present. No neighbor quotes.
Sources
- Boyfriend charged with murder in St. Pauls woman's shooting death, denied bond (WPDE / Tonya Brown, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 10:23 p.m.: Chief Michael Owens; Roman Morales, 34, charged with second-degree murder; girlfriend, 34, first name spelled Sucoria, surname Howard; about 7 p.m. Thursday; home on McLean Street; argument before the shooting, with no further details released; he later turned himself in; Friday morning hearing, bond denied; held at the Robeson County Detention Center; Robeson County Sheriff's Office assisted; investigation ongoing. House number omitted because none is printed. Children are not described. A WPDE booking image is not used.)
Official sourcePublished by St. Pauls Police Department, via WPDE · Checked Nov 8, 2026, 12:17 PM
- St. Pauls man charged in girlfriend's shooting death (The Robesonian / Chris Stiles, Nov. 6, 2026: Chief Michael Owens; Sequoia Howard, 34; about 7 p.m. Thursday; home on McLean Street; boyfriend Roman Morales, 34; arrested later Thursday evening; second-degree murder and discharging a firearm within the city limits; Robeson County Detention Center; Friday first appearance, bond not given; sheriff's office assisted; investigation ongoing. First name is left in conflict with WPDE. House number omitted. Neighbor comments are not used. Children are not described. A Robesonian photo is not used.)
Official sourcePublished by St. Pauls Police Department, via The Robesonian · Checked Nov 8, 2026, 12:17 PM
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