Crime
24-year-old Christopher Hatcher killed after accidental shooting in Huntsville
Huntsville Police have confirmed that a juvenile was responsible for the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man in downtown Huntsville on Monday, May 12. Authorities believe the incident was accidental and say no charges will be filed.
The victim has been identified as Christopher Hatcher, a Huntsville resident.
According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 12:30 p.m. and located a red sedan in a rear parking lot near Jefferson Street.
Inside the vehicle, they found Hatcher suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency responders transported Hatcher to Huntsville Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the firearm was being handled by a juvenile who was inside the vehicle at the time.
The weapon discharged, fatally striking Hatcher.
Based on the preliminary investigation, police concluded that the shooting was unintentional.
The case remains closed with no criminal charges anticipated, according to authorities.
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.”