Crime
Two Victims Identified in Anderson County Fatal Shooting, Suspect in Custody
ANDERSON, S.C. – Authorities have identified two individuals who were found shot to death in Anderson County early Wednesday morning.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office responded to the scene at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Quinn Street, where they discovered two deceased victims and one injured survivor.
According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, the victims have been identified as Christian Jordan Woods, 22, and Rona Paul McGirt, 59, both of Anderson.
The surviving male victim, who managed to flag down help, was transported to a local hospital and is expected to fully recover.
Authorities confirmed that Darren Demetrius Martin, a registered sex offender, has been arrested and charged with:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of attempted murder
- Possession of a weapon during a violent crime
Martin is currently being held at the Anderson County Detention Center.
Court records indicate that Martin was previously charged with murder in connection with the 2020 killing of Jesse Banks III; however, that case was later dismissed.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and determine the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting.
Further details may be released as the case progresses.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”