On March 29, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Lumberton police responded to a shooting incident at a residence in the 500 block of East 21st Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered 27-year-old Charles Bethea inside the home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported Bethea to UNC Health Southeastern, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 7:17 a.m.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested 31-year-old Bobby Jones of Lumberton. Jones was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Bethea's death and was booked into the Robeson County Detention Center without bond. The relationship between Bethea and Jones, as well as the motive behind the shooting, were not disclosed in the immediate reports.
The incident has prompted the Lumberton Police Department to seek additional information from the public. Individuals with knowledge related to the case are encouraged to contact the department at 910-671-3845. As of the latest available reports, no further details have been released regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting or any potential ongoing investigations.
