On July 26, 2023, 21-year-old Kylon Darius Locklear of Maxton, North Carolina, was fatally shot on Freebird Lane. Deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of weapon-related threats and discovered Locklear suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Scotland Health Care, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Locklear's death led to the identification and arrest of multiple suspects. On July 28, 2023, 22-year-old Gaven D.
Jacobs of Lumberton was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into a vehicle, discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, and felony conspiracy. Subsequently, on July 31, 2023, 26-year-old Cherokee Norton of Pembroke surrendered to authorities and faced similar charges, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Both individuals were held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
The search continued for additional suspects. On August 2, 2023, 21-year-old Kinston D. Locklear of Maxton was apprehended in Lumberton. He was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into a vehicle, discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, felony conspiracy, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary, four counts of second-degree kidnapping, and misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. Kinston Locklear was also held without bond.
The final suspect, 20-year-old Taima Cummings of Rowland, was arrested on August 15, 2023, at a residence on Henry Berry Road in Rowland. Cummings faced charges including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into a vehicle, discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, felony conspiracy, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary, four counts of second-degree kidnapping, and misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. He was detained without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
The arrests were the result of collaborative efforts between the Robeson County Sheriff's Office Homicide Division, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kylon Locklear's death remains ongoing.
