Two Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are hospitalized after they were shot attempting to arrest a wanted suspect who was on pretrial release under a murder charge.
“I am as frustrated as I have ever been,” says Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. “We continue to pray that we don’t lose either of these Deputies due to the actions of a suspect who clearly has shown he is a dangerous criminal. For a murder suspect to be out roaming the streets of our county under the pretense of being on Pre-trial release is a travesty.“
On Tuesday, at approximately 9:26 a.m., deputies responded to Lois Ann Drive , Maxton in reference to a possible location of Shawn Tobin Locklear, according to a press release from Sheriff Burnis Wilkins.
When the deputies arrived, the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area. During the pursuit, additional deputies arrived to apprehend the suspect in the 1100 block of Old Red Springs Road.
When deputies encountered the suspect, Wilkins said, multiple shots were fired and the deputies were struck by gunfire. The suspect then took a patrol vehicle and fled from the scene, running over a deputy.
Deputies returned fire and the suspect was shot multiple times.
Deputy Jonathan Walters, 37 was shot in the lower body and listed in critical but stable condition. Walters has been with the Sheriff’s Office since March 2020 and is assigned to the Patrol Division.
Deputy Kaelin Locklear, 23 was shot in the upper body and is listed in stable condition. Locklear has been with the Sheriff’s Office since May 2021 and is assigned to the Patrol Division.
Shawn Locklear Jr., 20, of Maxton is listed in critical but stable condition.
Walters was transported to Scotland Medical Center in a Robeson County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, Wilkins said, and Deputy Locklear was transported to Scotland Medical Center in a Maxton Police Department patrol vehicle.
Both deputies are scheduled for surgery at Cape Fear Medical Center. The suspect was transported to UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center.
Upon the release of the suspect from the medical center, he will be charged with the additional charges of two counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries with intent to kill, larceny of motor vehicle, felony hit and run, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, and two counts of resist, delay, and obstructing of a public officer.
Wilkins said Shawn Locklear was wanted for for cutting his ankle bracelet on Sept. 28; assault on a female, and assault by pointing a gun. He was charged on March 20, 2022, with robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony fleeing/eluding law enforcement, injury to personal property and fictitious registration plates. He was released on bond the same day.
The suspect was also out on bond for first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and discharging a weapon into occupied property. The murder occurred on Nov. 29, 2022, and he was released on bond on May 5.
Wilkins called out the court system for releasing Locklear and endangering the public.
“District Attorney Matt Scott and his office, along with pre-trial representatives, were against his release, and somehow, it still occurred. This man should have been in jail. We continue to do our jobs, and I need the courts to do theirs.”
The investigation is ongoing. The case is being investigated by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Divisions. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Robeson County District’s Attorney Office are assisting with the investigation. Maxton Police Department, Lumberton Police Department, Fairmont Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina Wildlife Resources, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Smith’s Fire Department, and Queheel Fire Department assisted during the investigation.
There were several calls from law enforcement agencies and officials from throughout North Carolina and South Carolina in reference to providing support. Sheriff Wilkins would like to thank each Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, Official and others who have offered support during the investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170 or 910-671-3100.
