On August 26, 2021, 20-year-old Damarko Locklear of Saint Pauls, North Carolina, was struck by gunfire while riding in a vehicle on North Alford Road in Saint Pauls. Witnesses or investigators believe the shots came from a separate vehicle traveling on the road. Locklear was found with a gunshot wound, taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, and later died of his injuries.

Robeson County investigators later arrested several people in connection with the shooting. Gary Alford, 19, of Lumber Bridge, was charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, and discharging a weapon into an occupied moving vehicle; he surrendered to investigators and was held without bond on the murder count. On September 30, 2021, Fredrick D. Hall, 19, of Shannon, and a 16-year-old juvenile were also charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, and discharging a weapon into an occupied moving vehicle; Hall was held without bond on the murder charge while the juvenile was placed in juvenile detention. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Criminal Investigations divisions assisted in the probe, with support from the ATF, and the investigation remains active.

If anyone has information about the shooting on North Alford Road, please contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.