On the last day of 2025, a young life was tragically cut short in Pembroke, North Carolina. Lacota F. Locklear, a 22-year-old man, was killed on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. His death was the result of gun violence, a fact that has been noted in national records of firearm-related fatalities.
Further investigation into the circumstances of his death by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of a woman described as his girlfriend. She has since been charged with his murder. The case has been highlighted by news outlets, bringing attention to the issue of domestic violence in the region.
Born on October 14, 2003, to Chris Locklear and Chawona Emanuel Williams, Lacota was a recent graduate of
Scotland Christian Academy, having completed his studies in 2022. He was a father, leaving behind a daughter named Cardella Jean Locklear. His family, including his parents, siblings, and a large extended family, now mourns his sudden and violent death. Funeral services were held in early January 2026 to honor his memory.
