A Robeson County man, Daniel Wayne Locklear, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and an additional two years for violating federal supervised release after a domestic violence incident led to the shooting of an off-duty Dunn Police Officer. Locklear, 41, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“The United States will not permit violent felons to attack innocent women and citizens with guns. God bless this Dunn police officer who put his own life at risk to stop this Big Shark Bad Boy mid-crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Thankfully he has recovered from being shot in the leg. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his courage. The Dunn Police Department is righteously proud of this hero, as are we all.”
Court records show that on September 19, 2023, a woman sought help at an Exxon Gas Station in Linden and asked the clerk to call 911. Locklear followed her inside, yelled at her, brandished a gun, and pushed the clerk aside before dragging the woman by her legs toward the exit. An off-duty Dunn Police Officer intervened but was shot at by Locklear while attempting to prevent him from leaving with the woman. The officer returned fire, injuring Locklear’s forearm and abdomen. Outside the store, Locklear fired 15 rounds into the gas station before fleeing by car. The officer sustained a gunshot wound to his upper leg but was able to keep Locklear from abducting the woman.
“An attack on an officer is an attack on the entire community. Violence against the brave men and women that work so hard to protect us cannot be tolerated, and ATF will continue to do everything possible to support our law enforcement colleagues,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones.
“Domestic violence has widespread consequences that affect not only the victim but also their family, friends, communities, and workplaces. We are firmly against any form of violence in Cumberland County and stand united with the Department of Justice in addressing this issue. I commend the remarkable heroism of the off-duty officer who took swift action,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Johnathan Morgan.
Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson added: “On the evening of this incident, Officer Joshua Elliott’s actions saved the life of the female victim, the store clerk, and the customers inside the business. Officer Elliott’s dedication to his career, his years of training, and his calling to be a police officer — to ‘be alert and vigilant to enforce the criminal laws of this state’ — gave him the ability to act decisively in this crisis situation and save lives. By doing so, he became a hero. This heroic act demonstrates Officer Elliott’s steadfast commitment to the law enforcement oath of office, answering the call of duty without hesitation. We are thankful that justice has been served for the innocent victims, including Officer Elliott, who was directly involved in this incident.”
As someone previously convicted who was under federal supervision at that time, Locklear was barred from having firearms or ammunition when officers later found his vehicle; they discovered a loaded 9mm firearm equipped with a large-capacity magazine nearby.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle announced these details following sentencing by U.S District Judge James C. Dever III. The case was investigated by local police along with federal agencies including ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Ashley Foxx.
