Charges of murder, robbery, carjacking: 20-year-old could face life in prison
First, Shawn Tobin Locklear was charged with the 2022 murder of a man found dead in a ditch. While out on bond, he cut off his ankle monitor, prompting deputies to return to an Old Red Springs Road home in November 2023 to look for him.
When they arrived, the sheriff's office says, Locklear opened fire, fled into the woods then stole a patrol car to get away. Locklear, who was himself shot multiple times in the exchange of gunfire with deputies, was injured badly enough to need medical care and was arrested after his release from the hospital.
On Thursday, Locklear was indicted on federal charges connected to that gun battle.
“Violence towards law enforcement will never be tolerated in North Carolina. We will use every resource necessary to hold accountable anyone who endangers police or first responders,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The conduct alleged in the indictment endangered the lives of two Robeson County Deputies and this indictment should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider similar conduct.”
Locklear, 20, faces a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of all the new charges, which include possession of a machine gun and carjacking with intent to cause serious bodily injury.
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said he was "disgusted" that Locklear, who was awaiting trial on charges linked to the 2022 murder and a robbery, was allowed bond.
"To give a bracelet to a murder suspect that’s already out on bond for armed robbery, that’s just unbelievable," he said.
