On February 7, 2024, 19-year-old Khalil Tomas Alford, a former student of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), was fatally shot in the parking lot of the University Courtyard Apartments near the campus. The incident occurred just before 5:00 p.m., prompting an immediate response from UNCP campus police, who discovered shell casings at the scene but did not encounter any suspects.
Shortly thereafter, Robeson County deputies responded to a separate location off-campus, where they found Alford in need of medical attention; he later succumbed to his injuries.
Alford, originally from Pembroke, North Carolina, was a distinguished graduate of Fairmont High School, where he achieved a 4.0 GPA, graduating summa cum laude. He was an active member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and National Technical Honor Society, and showcased his athletic talents on both the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams. After high school, Alford enrolled at UNCP to further his education. Although he was not enrolled in classes during the spring semester of 2024, he had plans to resume his studies in the fall.
In the wake of the tragedy, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) took over the case. On February 14, 2024, after consulting with the District Attorney, SBI agents arrested 22-year-old Kendell T. Brown in connection with Alford's death. Brown, who was not a UNCP student, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and discharging a firearm on educational property. He was issued a $125,000 secured bond. Authorities have stated that they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the UNCP campus.
The university community mourned Alford's passing, holding a candlelight vigil on February 13, 2024, to honor his memory. Friends, family, and fellow students gathered to pay their respects and celebrate his life and achievements. UNCP Chancellor Robin Cummings expressed condolences, emphasizing that Alford would always be considered a member of the BraveNation community. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Alford's death remains ongoing, as authorities continue to seek justice for the promising young man whose life was tragically cut short.
