Crime
Surviving Victims Identified in Robeson County Mass Shooting
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night Halloween celebration in Robeson County ended in tragedy early Saturday when gunfire erupted at a large outdoor gathering on Dixon Drive near McGirt Gin Road in Maxton.
Authorities confirmed that 13 people were shot, including two who were killed and several others who remain hospitalized with critical injuries.
According to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were initially dispatched to 298 Dixon Drive around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in response to a loud music complaint.
Before their arrival, 911 communications received multiple calls reporting that several individuals had been shot at the location.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Jessie Locklear Jr., 49, and Nehemiah Locklear, 16, both of Lumberton, deceased at the scene.
As law enforcement secured the area, additional shooting victims began arriving at nearby hospitals, including Scotland Health Care in Laurinburg and UNC Health Southeastern Medical Center in Lumberton.
One victim was later airlifted to an undisclosed medical facility with life-threatening injuries.
Authorities say the shooting occurred during a large Halloween-themed outdoor party promoted on social media as a “Dirt Road Halloween Party” with the tagline, “Ain’t no party like the dirt road party.”
Flyers for the event advertised “FREE PJ, BYOB, and leave ya drama with ya mama,” drawing a crowd estimated at over 150 attendees.
When deputies arrived, most of the crowd had already fled, leaving behind overturned tables, scattered debris, and abandoned vehicles.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the following individuals were among those injured:
- Juvenile, 17, of Maxton, NC
- Nicole Harris, 18, of Raeford, NC
- Anthony Harris, 18, of Maxton, NC
- Jerami Locklear, 18, of Laurel Hill, NC
- Trevor Jacobs, 18, of Pembroke, NC
- Tylon Locklear, 20, of Pembroke, NC
- Kiona Oxendine, 22, of Lumberton, NC
- Erin Hatcher, 23, of Pembroke, NC
- Gabriel Bullard, 27, of Lumberton, NC
- Lacy Chavis, 29, of Shannon, NC
- Delilah Locklear, 43, of Lumberton, NC
Several victims remain hospitalized, while others have since been treated and released.
In a statement, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins condemned the violence and emphasized the dangers of mixing alcohol and firearms, particularly among young people.
“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party. Dozens of videos posted from the event show that alcohol and guns don’t mix—regardless of age. As seen here, the consequences are once again tragic.”
He added that those responsible for the “reckless and heartless act” will be held accountable and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the broader community impacted by the shooting.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division is leading the investigation, with assistance from multiple agencies including the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office, Robeson County Emergency Management, Fairmont Police Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Residents are urged to contact investigators with any information that may aid the case.
📞 Robeson County Sheriff’s Office: 910-671-3100
📧 Email: sheriff.wilkins@robesoncountync.gov
Authorities continue to review social media footage and witness accounts as part of the ongoing investigation.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.