MAXTON, NC (WBTW) – North Carolina state officials say an arrest has been made in a double homicide investigation in Robeson County after a man and child were killed.
Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey says deputies were called to investigate after a body was found near a pond on Kalyn Drive, off McGirts Gin Road in Maxton, Monday around 12:30 p.m.
Blood stains the ground where Robeson County Deputies found the body of 22-year old Lyn Ardell Bullard in Maxton Monday.
His Stepmom Brandy Bullard says his nickname was ‘Pa’.
“None of this should have happened…,” said Brandy Bullard. “All ‘Pa’ wanted to do was hunt or fish. He was never in trouble or caused any trouble. So for something like this to happen yeah it was… it was unbelievable.”
The investigation turned into a double homicide when detectives discovered the body of a 9-year-old boy about one mile from Bullard’s body. Sheriff Sealey says Bullard and the child were hunting together, and investigators found a black Ford Ranger with the child’s body in a wooded area behind Lakewood Drive off Modest Road.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Spokesperson Patty McQuillan says the truck had been set on fire.
Many people in the County want deadly violence to stop. Margina Jones says two of her family members were killed in the last month.
“My heart is so burdened right now for this child,” said Jones. “I’m so sorry for this family and any family that has lost their loved ones.”
Jones plans to hold a march against violence later this month on Jan. 27 at 7 a.m. on Highway 71.
“We’ve got to stand with one another and stop this violence. We’ve got to. We’ve got to put better people in office that care,” said Jones.
Jones and the Bullard family say they want justice.
“It’s tragic but you know. I really hope. The only thing I really hope is that there is justice,” said Bullard.
Sheriff Sealey says officials arrested Walter Woodrow Locklear, 27, of Maxton, and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and burning of personal property. Officials did not comment on the relationship between the two victims and the alleged killer. Brandy Bullard says her stepson and Locklear were close friends.
“It was all for nothing. It was all really for nothing. This boy was supposed to be his best friend. Turns out he wasn’t,” said Bullard.
The name of the child has not been released. Officials are waiting on the results of the autopsy before releasing that information.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100.