Twenty four hours after Desmond Locklear's son was one of two Robeson County deputies shot in the line of duty, the father is demanding accountability.

Kaelin Locklear is expected to make a full recovery after being shot three times while trying to serve a warrant to a murder suspect. It's a relief for Desmond Locklear, who's been through a harrowing two days and experienced something he's worried about since his son became a deputy.

Other WRAL Top Stories

"I was actually in Lumberton yesterday and my son called me, and he said, ‘Dad, I’ve been shot.’ And as a parent, that’s the worst fear that we can have as a parent," said Desmond Locklear.

Desmond Locklear wants some real changes in the judicial system, so that someone with serious charges like Shawn Locklear (no relation to the deputy or his father) won't go free awaiting trial. He said he's prepared to take his demand as high as he needs to go.

"I want to know why these judges are not held accountable for what they sign upon these documents," Desmond Locklear said. "It’s more than a number. It’s more than a sheet of paper. These are people’s lives."

On Wednesday morning, Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said both Kaelin Locklear and Jonathan Walters were alert, talking and in good spirits. Walters is also expected to make a full recovery. Walters was run over by suspect Shawn Locklear when he stole a patrol vehicle while trying to get away.

Desmond Locklear said his son called him from the scene as he was about to be taken to the hospital. Kaelin Locklear has a long road to recovery ahead of him.

"It’s going to be a slow recovery. He got shot three times. One in the upper body, one in the right arm, and one in his leg," Desmond Locklear said.

The father says his mission now isn’t just helping his son recover. He also wants to see the system changed that allowed Shawn Locklear to walk out of jail on bond. Wilkins also expressed frustration with the local courts while giving media an update on Tuesday,

“I am as frustrated as I have ever been,” said Wilkins, noting that District Attorney Matt Scott was against the suspect's release. “We continue to pray that we don’t lose either of these deputies due to the actions of a suspect who clearly has shown he is a dangerous criminal."

Wilkins said Shawn Locklear made bond for a robbery committed in March of 2022 and was released in May 2023 for the November 2022 first-degree murder charges. He was one of three arrested after a Red Springs man was found dead in a ditch on Nov. 29, 2022.

Shawn Locklear had cut off his ankle monitor, leading deputies to search for him.

When the deputies got to a home on Old Red Springs Road, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office says Locklear ran into the woods, then shot the two deputies before stealing a deputy's cruiser and driving over Walter's legs.

The deputies then shot Shawn Locklear. All three men were rushed to the hospital.

Shawn Locklear is still recovering at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center. Once he’s released, he’ll be facing eight more charges, including attempted first-degree murder.