A Halloween gathering in southeastern North Carolina resulted in a deadly incident early on Saturday, October 25, 2025, when gunshots were fired into a crowd of over 300 attendees, causing two fatalities and injuring 11 others. Authorities are describing this as another instance of gun violence.
The shooting took place shortly after 1:15 a.m. at a residence on Dixon Drive near Maxton, approximately 95 miles southwest of Raleigh, close to the South Carolina border. Robeson County Sheriff’s Office deputies were already on their way to the scene following noise complaints about loud music when 911 received numerous calls reporting the shooting at the event.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found that over 150 people had left. Two victims, Jessie Locklear Jr., 49, and Nehemiah Locklear, 16, both from Lumberton, North Carolina, were found deceased. The death of the 16-year-old highlights the impact of violence on teenagers at what was intended to be a celebration.
The 11 injured individuals ranged from 17 to 43 years old, with several reaching local hospitals before being accounted for by deputies. Some victims went to Scotland Health Care in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and UNC Health Southeastern Medical Center in Lumberton, while one required air transport to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, due to life-threatening injuries. Others remained hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening, while some were treated and released.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins reported that the incident was a result of a confrontation between two groups at the party, which included attendees from pre-teen years to around 50 years old. Wilkins informed local media that investigators suspect multiple shooters and the use of several weapons during the event.
Sheriff Wilkins expressed frustration over the elements that led to the violence. “This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.”
The sheriff also mentioned that numerous videos shared from the event on various platforms showed the risky combination of alcohol and firearms, regardless of the age of attendees. He pointed out the tragic outcomes, noting a recurring pattern of violence at large gatherings in the county.
As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been made, although the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office had identified several persons of interest. Wilkins expressed frustration over the mixed levels of cooperation from individuals, describing it as a common issue in large crowd situations. He referenced a similar incident from a year or two ago when over 150 attendees were present, but no one provided information, leaving that case unsolved.
Sheriff Wilkins noted that law enforcement was initially unaware of the party because its size did not meet the local threshold requiring a permit. This raised questions about preventing such incidents when authorities do not have prior notice of the gatherings.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division is leading the investigation with assistance from several agencies, including the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office, Robeson County Emergency Management, Fairmont Police Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Officials assured the community that there is no ongoing threat, describing the shooting as a targeted incident between specific groups rather than random violence. However, the scale of the shooting and the number of victims emphasize ongoing concerns about gun violence at large social events.
The sheriff’s office has requested that anyone with information about the incident or who attended the gathering contact investigators at 910-671-3100 or via email at sheriff.wilkins@robesoncountysonc.gov. With more than 150 people leaving before law enforcement arrived, authorities are heavily reliant on witness cooperation to understand the sequence of events that led to the shooting.
Involvement of alcohol law enforcement agencies in the investigation suggests that underage drinking might have been a factor at the event, adding complexity to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
