On July 26, 2023, 21-year-old Kylon Darius Locklear of Maxton, North Carolina, was fatally shot on Freebird Lane. Deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of weapon-related threats and found Locklear with gunshot wounds; he was taken to Scotland Health Care where he died.

The investigation identified and led to the arrests of multiple suspects. On July 28, 2023, 22-year-old Gaven D. Jacobs of Lumberton was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into a vehicle, discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, and felony conspiracy. On July 31, 2023, 26-year-old Cherokee Norton of Pembroke surrendered and faced similar charges including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. On August 2, 2023, 21-year-old Kinston D. Locklear of Maxton was arrested in Lumberton and charged with first-degree murder plus multiple related counts including robbery with a dangerous weapon, burglary, kidnapping, and assault with a deadly weapon. The final suspect, 20-year-old Taima Cummings of Rowland, was arrested August 15, 2023, and charged with first-degree murder and numerous related offenses. All were held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division worked with the ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force; the investigation into the circumstances of Locklear’s death remains ongoing. If anyone has information about this case or Kylon Locklear’s death, please come forward.