On December 15, 2024, at approximately 3:13 p.m., deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded to a call regarding an unresponsive male in the 5000 block of Highway 74 West in Lumberton, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 40-year-old Robert Brandon Barnes, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Services.
In the days following Barnes's death, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office launched a homicide investigation.
On December 18, 2024, authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Tequentin Rashaud Mitchell of Rowland, North Carolina, charging him with first-degree murder in connection with Barnes's death.
The investigation progressed rapidly, and by December 19, 2024, two suspects were in custody. Mitchell was apprehended at a residence in the 4000 block of Highway 74 West in Lumberton. He faced charges including first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony conspiracy. Additionally, 38-year-old Tommy Stewart McMillian of Rowland was charged with the same offenses. McMillian was already detained at the Robeson County Detention Center on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.
Both Mitchell and McMillian are being held without bond as they await further legal proceedings. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Barnes's death and has urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
Barnes's passing has left a significant void in his community. He is remembered as a devoted family man who cherished his three children and two granddaughters. His obituary notes that he "loved his family and children with everything in him" and was known for his generosity, often willing to "give you the shirt off his back."
As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful for justice in Barnes's case, while mourning the loss of a beloved father, husband, and friend.
