LUMBERTON, N.C. — A shooting at a Halloween party has left two people dead and at least 11 others injured, casting a dark shadow over the community. The tragic incident occurred early Saturday morning, prompting an extensive search for the suspect.
Law enforcement received reports of gunfire and noise complaints around 1:15 a.m. local time on October 25. Responding officers from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office found chaos when they arrived at the residence, where multiple individuals had been shot. Two victims, identified as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. and 16-year-old Nehemiah Locklear, succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
Among the injured, whose ages range from 18 to 43, one person sustained life-threatening injuries while the others are recovering from non-life-threatening conditions. The victims include Nicole Harris, Anthony Harris, Jerami Locklear, Tylon Locklear, Kiona Oxendine, Erin Hatcher, Gabriel Bullard, Lacy Chavis, and Delilah Locklear, as well as an unnamed 17-year-old.
Local family members expressed their heartbreak on social media, highlighting the tragedy of a festive occasion turning deadly. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins described the incident as an “unthinkable act of gun violence.” He denounced the troubling intersection of youth, alcohol, and firearms at a party, urging the community to reflect on the consequences of such reckless behavior.
Wilkins noted the proliferation of videos circulating from the party, warning that “alcohol and guns don’t mix, regardless of age.” He emphasized the need for community vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
Authorities are currently pursuing leads to identify the shooter, although no arrests have been made. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office has enlisted the help of several agencies, including the Fairmont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to support the investigation.
Community members remain shaken by the violence, which underscores ongoing concerns about gun safety and youth behavior. Local officials are expected to convene meetings in the coming days to address these issues and engage residents in discussions on preventing future incidents. As the investigation continues, many are left to mourn and seek answers in the wake of this senseless tragedy.