Hezachi Oxendine, a 15-year-old male from Pembroke, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on March 13, 2022. Hezachi was born on August 22, 2006, in Lumberton, NC, to his mother, Nicole Locklear, and his father, Eric Dewayne Oxendine. Hezachi's death occurred during a birthday party where he was fatally shot. The incident took place shortly after midnight, and Hezachi was transported to a medical center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation
into Hezachi's death led to the arrest of Joshton C. Locklear, a 20-year-old male from Pembroke. Joshton was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony conspiracy in connection to the deaths of Hezachi Oxendine and 20-year-old Randi D. Hunt. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation. The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division was also requested to investigate the consumption of alcohol by minors at the party.
The case highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in Robeson County, where witnesses are often reluctant to come forward due to a history of corruption and fear of retribution. Despite these challenges, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to the residents who assisted and cooperated with the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and the authorities continue to seek information from the public to bring closure to the grieving families.
