Damarko Locklear, a 20-year-old male from Saint Pauls, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on August 26, 2021. Locklear was struck by gunfire while traveling in a vehicle on North Alford Road in Saint Pauls. The shots were believed to have been fired from a separate vehicle also traveling on the road. Locklear was found suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene and was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of Locklear's death, several arrests were made. Gary Alford, a 19-year-old male from Lumber Bridge, was charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, and discharging a weapon into an occupied/moving vehicle. Alford surrendered to Robeson County sheriff's investigators with his attorney and was placed in the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center without bond for the murder charge. He was also placed under a $200,000 secured bond for the remaining charges. Alford was the third person charged in connection to Locklear's death.
On September 30, 2021, two additional suspects were arrested by Robeson County sheriff's investigators. Fredrick D. Hall, a 19-year-old male from Shannon, and a 16-year-old juvenile were both charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, and discharging a weapon into an occupied/moving vehicle. Hall was placed in the Robeson County Detention Center without bond for the murder charge and under a $500,000 secured bond for the remaining charges. The juvenile was placed in the Cumberland Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office Homicide and Criminal Investigations divisions, along with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisted with the investigation. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.
