Ernie Locklear, 65, of Maxton, North Carolina, was found unresponsive in the 2700 block of Morrison Road in the Maxton area of Robeson County on Wednesday April 15, 2026. Robeson County sheriff’s deputies responded to the rural residential roadway after a 911 caller reported an unresponsive individual near a residence.
Upon arrival, first responders located Locklear and immediately began life-saving efforts before transporting him by ambulance to Scotland Memorial Hospital in neighboring Scotland County. He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The discovery occurred in a quiet stretch of Morrison Road lined with homes and farmland in the Maxton community.
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that Ernie Locklear was pronounced dead at Scotland Memorial Hospital after being transported from the 2700 block of Morrison Road. The sheriff’s office worked closely with the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office to conduct a prompt autopsy.
Preliminary findings from the examination determined that Locklear’s death was the result of homicide. The exact cause and manner remain under active review as part of the ongoing criminal investigation in Robeson County.
The Maxton and broader Robeson County communities have been left in mourning following the death of Ernie Locklear in the 2700 block of Morrison Road. Family and friends described him as a well-known local resident whose sudden loss has deeply affected those who knew him in the small town. Neighbors along Morrison Road expressed shock and concern over the violence reaching their rural area, with many gathering informally to offer support to Locklear’s loved ones in the days after April 15, 2026.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins stated that the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an active homicide investigation into the death of Ernie Locklear discovered in the 2700 block of Morrison Road. Detectives are reviewing all available evidence and seeking any witnesses or surveillance from the area around the time of the incident. No arrests have been announced at this time, and the case remains open as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal injuries.
Residents near Morrison Road in the Maxton area of Robeson County have voiced sorrow and called for answers following the homicide of Ernie Locklear. The rural community, known for its families and agricultural roots, has seen renewed discussions about safety along local roadways after the April 15, 2026 discovery. Local leaders have offered condolences to Locklear’s family while emphasizing the importance of community vigilance in the small town.
