MAXTON, North Carolina — A weekend gathering advertised as a large party in a rural area of southeastern North Carolina turned into a scene of devastating gun violence early Saturday morning, resulting in two fatalities and at least eleven non-fatal gunshot injuries. The incident, which took place outside the town of Maxton in Robeson County, has drawn sharp focus to the intersection of mass gatherings, the presence of minors, alcohol consumption, and firearms in the region.
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that a total of 13 individuals were shot at the event, which reportedly drew a crowd of over 300 people, with ages ranging from pre-teenagers to around 50. The immediate aftermath saw more than 150 attendees flee the location before law enforcement officers could secure the site, complicating the initial investigation.
Details of the Incident and Victims
The shooting was first reported around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, after sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a rural property on Dixon Drive in response to a loud music complaint. Before officers arrived, emergency operators began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting that individuals had been shot at the location.
The fatalities were identified as 16-year-old Nehemiah Locklear and 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr., both from Lumberton. The eleven individuals who sustained non-life-threatening or serious injuries ranged in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded victims was transported to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while others remain hospitalized or were treated and released.
Sheriff Wilkins indicated that the preliminary investigation suggests the shootings stemmed from a confrontation between two groups attending the event, which led to an exchange of gunfire.
Investigation and Law Enforcement Response
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office has classified the event as an isolated incident, stating there is "no current threat to the community." However, the sheer scale of the crime scene and the rapid dispersal of witnesses present significant investigative challenges. Homicide investigators, along with other personnel, are actively working the case.
Search for Suspects and Evidence
As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been formally announced. Sheriff Wilkins told reporters that his office has identified multiple persons of interest and believes multiple individuals fired shots using multiple weapons. Investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the event or has information to contact the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is also involving alcohol law enforcement agencies due to the explicit involvement of teenagers and alcohol at the large, unlicensed gathering.
Sheriff Wilkins expressed concern over the circumstances, stating, "This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured. What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party."
Historical Context of Gun Violence at Youth-Attended Events
This tragic event in Maxton is not an isolated occurrence within North Carolina or the broader national landscape. Shootings at large, often unsanctioned, parties are a recurring symptom of the wider challenge of gun violence and firearm accessibility, particularly among young people.
State and National Trends
Data has consistently shown an upward trend in firearm-related deaths among youth, placing homicide as a leading cause of death for older adolescents in many states, including North Carolina. The confluence of large, unstructured social gatherings, the consumption of alcohol by underage individuals, and the illegal presence of firearms creates an inherently high-risk environment. Law enforcement officials frequently cite the difficulty of policing these spontaneous, massive events, especially when organizers fail to obtain permits or cooperate with authorities.
The Robeson County incident echoes similar events where crowd size and the mix of age groups amplified the danger and hindered a timely police response. The Sheriff’s Office noted they were initially unaware of the party’s size, as the attendance was reportedly below the local threshold requiring a permit.
Societal and Community Impact
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the local community, which is now grappling with the loss of life and the lasting trauma inflicted on the many victims and witnesses. Incidents of this nature invariably raise questions about parental supervision, local community engagement, and the effectiveness of current measures to regulate large gatherings and deter illegal firearm possession.
Mental health experts often highlight the severe, long-term psychological impact on survivors and young witnesses exposed to such traumatic events. Furthermore, such North Carolina shooting incidents can contribute to a climate of fear, especially in rural areas not typically associated with high rates of mass violence.
The coming days are critical for the investigation, as authorities attempt to piece together the sequence of events and identify those responsible. Beyond the immediate criminal charges, the incident is expected to fuel renewed public and political discussions on local safety protocols, juvenile justice, and the perennial debate surrounding gun control measures in the state.
The tragic violence in Maxton serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in large, unregulated gatherings and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the complex factors contributing to youth-involved gun violence. The community, the victims’ families, and the State of North Carolina await answers and, ultimately, justice for those who were killed and injured.