Robeson County, NC, sheriff's deputies Jonathan Walters and Kaelin Locklear were shot and seriously wounded serving an arrest warrant Tuesday morning.Robeson County SO
Two Robeson County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s deputies were shot Tuesday morning while serving a warrant in Maxton. Both are expected to recover.
When deputies arrived to serve the warrant, the suspect reportedly fled into a nearby wooded area. Deputies pursued, came under fire, and were wounded. The suspect then stole a patrol vehicle and drove away, officials say.
One deputy was run over by the suspect fleeing in the patrol vehicle and his leg was broken, the Robeson County SO says.
The suspect switched cars in an attempt to escape, but was stopped by deputies and arrested.
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.
The wounded deputies were transported to the hospital by fellow deputies in a pickup truck.
The suspect, Shawn Tobin Locklear Jr., 20, of Maxton is listed in critical but stable condition.
Upon release from the medical center, the suspect will be charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder and other felonies related to the incident.
The suspect was wanted for Violation of Pre-Trial Release for cutting his ankle bracelet on September 28, 2023, assault on a female, and assault by pointing a gun.
The suspect was charged on March 20, 2022, and released on bond on March 20, 2022, for the offenses of robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony fleeing/eluding law enforcement, injury to personal property and fictitious registration plates.
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 November 29, 2022, and the suspect was released on bond on May 5, 2023.
“I am as frustrated as I have ever been,” says Robeson County 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. 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.”
