DA clears Robeson deputies in fatal shooting of man in mental distress

Robeson County District Attorney Matt Scott has decided not to press charges against deputies who shot and killed a man in January after he called 911 for help.

Posted 8:36 p.m. Jun 28, 2021 — Updated 8:36 p.m. Jun 28, 2021

LUMBERTON, N.C. — Robeson County District Attorney Matt Scott has decided not to press charges against deputies who shot and killed a man in January after he called 911 for help.

Authorities say Matthew Oxendine, 46, called 911 on the night of Jan. 9 and said, "I'm going to bleed out," before hanging up. When sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they said Oxendine was inside his car and waved a gun at them.

Although a rifle was found between the car's front seats, family members said they don't believe Oxendine brandished a gun. They said he suffered from mental health issues and was despondent after a night of drinking.

Attorneys for the family said more than 30 shots were fired during the encounter.

The Oxendine family and their attorneys question why a SWAT team showed up instead of any ambulances or social workers. They also are concerned that there is no video of the incident from any body-worn or dashboard cameras.

"The decision not to bring charges against the sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed a man in response to a mental health call leaves the grieving family of Matthew Oxendine and the entire community still desperate for answers," attorneys Bakari Sellers, Chance Lynch and Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said in a statement. "How did a call for help result in death? We have no dashboard- or body-camera images to explain this tragedy. We have no official charges to help lead us to more information."

Scott couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

The family intends to file a lawsuit against the sheriff's office, the attorneys said.

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