Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Robeson County felon has been sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by an additional two years for violating his federal supervised release, following a domestic violence assault that resulted in the shooting of an off-duty Dunn Police Officer. Daniel Wayne Locklear, 41, pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in April 2025.
“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.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on September 19, 2023, a woman rushed into the Exxon Gas Station in Linden and asked the clerk to call 911. Locklear entered shortly after the woman and began yelling at her. The clerk attempted to block the woman from Locklear, but Locklear flashed a gun and pushed the clerk out of the way. Locklear then grabbed the female victim by the legs and began dragging her out of the store. An off-duty Dunn Police Officer, who was also inside the gas station, attempted to de-escalate the situation and stop Locklear from leaving with the woman. Locklear drew his firearm and shot at the officer while he fled out of the store. The officer returned fired, striking Locklear in the forearm and abdomen. Once outside of the gas station, Locklear fired 15 rounds into the store and then fled in his car. The off-duty officer was hit by a bullet in his upper leg, but he successfully kept Locklear from taking 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.
“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,” said Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson.
As a convicted felon who was on federal supervised release, Locklear was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Despite this, when officers located Locklear’s vehicle, they found a loaded 9mm firearm with a 30-round large capacity magazine nearby.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Dunn Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24CR00294D-1.