Brandon Strickland, 38, was shot and killed in Maxton, North Carolina, on June 10, 2024. Deputies found him near the intersection of Highway 83 and Highway 130 at about 4:42 p.m.; he was taken to UNC Southeastern Medical Center and pronounced dead on arrival. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office named 20-year-old Adrian Locklear of Maxton as the primary suspect. Locklear surrendered on June 12 and was arrested on a first-degree murder charge and held without bond.

Brandon, known as Lil B, was born March 28, 1986, in Robeson County. He worked in sheetrock, enjoyed mechanics alongside his uncle Shelton Strickland, and is survived by daughters Airel Jacobs, Smaya Strickland, Anira Strickland and Zada Dial; son Branlon Locklear; and two granddaughters, Skylar Jacobs and Ava Estrada. A memorial service was held June 24 at Heritage Funeral Home in Red Springs.

Official details about motive and what led to the shooting have not been released and the investigation is active. If anyone has information, contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170.