Brandon Lee Hunt, 25, of Fairmont, North Carolina, was shot in the back in front of the Market Street Apartments and died at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton on March 13, 2011. He was survived by his father Randy Lee Hunt, his mother Sandra Hunt-Arellano, and his daughter Mackenzie Hunt.

The investigation produced arrests: Taurus Locklear was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy to rob Brandon. Prosecution relied on witness testimony and statements from a co-defendant, Quintin Taylor. Taylor — who knew Brandon — gave multiple contradictory statements to law enforcement before accepting a plea deal for second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Locklear.

Prosecutors later dismissed the case against Locklear in 2015, citing a lack of substantial evidence. The Fairmont Police Department was criticized for losing key evidence, including recordings of an interview with Taylor and a bullet recovered from Brandon’s body. Many questions about who was responsible remain; anyone with information is asked to come forward.