Hatchet-wielding suspect surrenders

GATES COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) - Officials say the suspect wanted for a brutal hatchet attack Saturday morning that left two people wounded has turned himself in.

According to the Gates County Sheriff Edward Webb, James Justin Cross turned himself in Monday evening after seeing himself on television.

"Thanks to Andy Fox and his investigative reporting, they have Justin Cross in custody," Webb told WAVY.com.

Webb said Cross knocked on the door of the couple's rural home Saturday morning at 4 a.m. He asked the two victims whether he could have money. According to Webb, the victims told the suspect, who has been identified as 24-year-old James Justin Cross they didn't want to give him money but that he could use their phone to get help.

Cross entered the couple's home then attacked the couple with a roofer's hammer, which has a hammer on one end and hatchet on the other.

"It was the worst nightmare I have ever had," said the mother of one of the victims.

She was called to her son's home in Hobbsville after the attack in which her son was almost killed.

"I went in and all I saw was kitchen chairs and they were down on the floor all over and there was blood everywhere," the mother said.

Her son does not want to be identified. His wounds severe enough to require staples in his head. His skull was also fractured, his forehead slashed and his foot broken.

His girlfriend, who was also attacked, has swollen eyes from punches to the face, along with a large gash on her forehead.

"I thought he was going to kill me," she told WAVY.com.

Webb said the victims knew their attacker.

"He knew him by his nickname and that name, 'Man,' was tattooed on his arm," Webb said.

The victims were immediately able to identify Cross, who is still on the run.

"Justin, if you are hearing me, you need to come down and see me, my friend," Webb pleaded.

Webb said Cross' long arrest record consists of drug infractions. With charges relating to the assault on the couple could be enough to put him away for life, according to Webb.

"Drugs at work here... when he takes drugs and he gets involved he is foolish, no doubt about it," Webb said.

Cross is wanted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, armed robbery and second degree kidnapping because he allegedly grabbed the female victim by the hair and dragged her to another room of the house.

Neither of the victims had health insurance and tell WAVY.com they are trying to forget about Saturday night's nightmare.