William Jerome Williamson, 34, was shot and killed during a birthday party at his home on Covington Farm Road in Shannon, North Carolina, on July 14, 2018. Deputies responded to reports of shots fired about 2:10 a.m. and found Williamson with gunshot wounds; he was taken to Southeastern Regional Medical Center, where he died. An autopsy confirmed death by gunshot wounds.

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office identified 23-year-old Christopher Ryan Locklear of St. Pauls as the primary suspect and charged him with first-degree murder. Authorities conducted an active search and asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office. The motive for the shooting remains unclear and the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone attended that party or has information that could help the investigation, please contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.