A Robeson County murder suspect accused of shooting two Robeson County Sheriff’s deputies now faces five federal charges including one drug trafficking charge, three charges related to firearms, including possession of a machine gun, and carjacking with intent to cause serious bodily injury.
The carjacking charge was included in a previous criminal complaint. Shawn Tobin Locklear, Jr., age 20, faces a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of all crimes.
“Violence towards law enforcement will never be tolerated in North Carolina. We will use every resource necessary to hold accountable anyone who endangers police or first responders,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The conduct alleged in the indictment endangered the lives of two Robeson County Deputies and this indictment should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider similar conduct.”
According to the indictment, Locklear is alleged to have possessed marijuana, and a modified sully-automatic weapon in September of 2023. The indictment and previous complaint further allege that Locklear shot and injured two Robeson County Sheriff’s deputies who were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on him.
After being struck by gunfire, both deputies took cover behind their patrol car. Locklear is then alleged to have entered the driver’s side of the patrol car and put the car into reverse as one deputy was located on the ground behind the patrol vehicle. The deputy was able to push himself partially out of the way before Locklear drove over his leg with the car.
Locklear was able to drive away in the patrol vehicle and fled the scene. The incident was captured on the deputies’ body cameras. Locklear is also alleged to have discharged a firearm on the date of the carjacking.
Locklear faces the following federal charge:
- Possession with intent to distribute marijuana;
- Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;
- Possession of a fully automatic weapon;
- Carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury; and
- Discharging a firearm in conjunction with a crime of violence.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Foxx and Robert Dodson are prosecuting the case.
Locklear was out on bond at the time, facing a second degree murder charge. The incident led to calls for improvements in the state’s pre-trial release statutes.
