Body discovered at a Sampson County school, identity unknown

According to the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, a school resource officer discovered the body of a man inside a vehicle at Hobbton Middle School athletic field in Newton Grove.

Authorities believe the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

They did not say what time the body was discovered or whether students were in the area at the time.

The investigation is ongoing and the man’s identity has not been released. According to students at Hobbton High School, which is nearby the middle school, the person was a faculty member.

A spokesperson for Sampson County Schools said Hobbton Middle will have additional school counselors, crisis team members, instructional coaches and office staff at the school on Thursday.

"We will work side-by-side with the Hobbton community to try and understand this tragedy," the spokesperson said. "We offer our prayers and condolences for the family that has experienced this loss."