Two North Carolina sheriff’s deputies, Jonathan Walters and Kaelin Locklear, are expected to make a full recovery after being seriously wounded during an attempted arrest earlier this week. The incident occurred when officers were serving a warrant on Shawn Tobin Locklear Jr., who is unrelated to the deputy. According to the sheriff’s office, Shawn Locklear allegedly fired at the deputies, prompting them to return fire. He was subsequently shot multiple times and taken into custody. Currently, he is in critical but stable condition at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, along with his top lieutenants, visited the injured deputies at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. Deputy Kaelin Locklear is listed in stable condition, while Walters is being treated in the intensive care unit. Both deputies are expected to fully recover.
The suspect, Shawn Locklear, is a 20-year-old who has been facing a murder charge since December. He was released on bond in May but will face additional charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, once he leaves the hospital.
The incident took place in a community outside of Maxton, near the South Carolina border. After shooting at the deputies, the suspect fled the scene by getting into one of the wounded deputies’ cruisers and running over Walters’ leg. He was later apprehended by other deputies.
It was revealed that the deputies had been seeking Shawn Locklear for violating the conditions of his pretrial release, as the monitoring bracelet around his ankle had been removed. Sheriff Wilkins expressed his frustration with the judicial system, stating that he was “100% disgusted” by how Locklear was allowed out of jail while being accused of murder.
The Robeson County sheriff’s office has not provided information regarding an attorney for the suspect at this time.
In conclusion, two North Carolina sheriff’s deputies are on the path to recovery after sustaining gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest. The suspect, who was wanted on a murder charge, will face additional charges once he is released from the hospital. Sheriff Wilkins has expressed his disappointment with the judicial system for allowing the suspect to be released on bond. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
