HOPE MILLS — A grand jury indicted North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine on first-degree murder charges in the death of Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Capt. Adam Bean. A judge ordered the 44-year-old sergeant held without bond pending the outcome of the case.

A witness stated that Bean became upset after seeing Oxendine's truck parked at the home. A warrant stated that Bean moved aggressively toward Oxendine. Court filings indicate the encounter followed years of tension involving Bean, Oxendine, and Tara Lynn Whitman.

Whitman had relationships with both Bean and Oxendine. She is an employee of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Whitman was performing CPR on Bean when police arrived at the scene. Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Sgt. R. Wolfe arrived at the scene while she performed these efforts.

Bean was found lying on his back in the front yard. His survivors include his son, parents, and two siblings. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office posthumously awarded him a merit award.

Oxendine remains on administrative leave from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The agency is conducting a separate internal investigation into the incident. An agency spokesperson said, "The Patrol respects the integrity of the judicial process and our system of laws that we all hold dear." The spokesperson added, "This is a difficult and tragic event for all involved."

Timeline

Investigators stated that Oxendine came out of the house carrying a gun and fired one shot into the ground. Investigators stated that Oxendine fired several shots at Bean, striking him.

Bean was shot and killed on March 27 at a home in Hope Mills, North Carolina. Bean was pronounced dead at the scene.

What's New

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Sgt. R. Wolfe arrived at the scene while Whitman was performing CPR on Bean. Text messages from 2022 and 2023 showed Oxendine accused Whitman of having a tryst with Bean. Whitman reconciled with Oxendine in February and March 2026.

Whitman is the sister of North Carolina State Highway Patrol Col. Freddy L. Johnson, Jr. An agency spokesperson said, "This is a difficult and tragic event for all involved." Oxendine fired two rounds into the ground before firing at Bean.

How Sources Differ

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office incident report states that Bean was shot and killed on March 27 at a home in Hope Mills, North Carolina. North Carolina search warrant affidavits state that Whitman lived with Bean until December 2025.

Why It Matters

The indictment of a state highway patrol sergeant for the killing of a county sheriff's captain involves two major law enforcement agencies in North Carolina. The case shows interpersonal tensions within professional circles, as court filings cite years of tension and jealousy involving the victim, the accused, and a mutual associate who worked for the sheriff's office.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is conducting a separate internal investigation alongside the criminal proceedings. Oxendine remains on administrative leave while held without bond. The outcome of the internal probe will determine his employment status independent of the judicial process.