A North Carolina state trooper has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing a fellow law enforcement officer in what investigators say was a long-running love triangle.
Sgt. Nekime Oxendine was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday in the March 27 death of Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Adam Bean.
Bean, 42, had worked for the sheriff’s office for nearly 20 years.
Authorities say the fatal confrontation unfolded outside a Hope Mills home belonging to a woman who had been romantically involved with both men.
When deputies arrived, the woman was desperately trying to perform CPR on Bean. He later died from his injuries.
The woman, whose name has not been released because she is described as a domestic violence victim, also works for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
According to search warrants and text messages obtained by local media, she had previously dated Oxendine before entering a long-term relationship with Bean.
Messages dating back to 2022 and 2023 reportedly show Oxendine repeatedly questioning the woman about whether she was involved with Bean.
In one July 2022 message, Oxendine allegedly wrote, “I see u have been talking to Adam!!! Best Wishes!!!”
He then reportedly added a warning about Bean.
The woman later began dating Bean and lived with him until December 2025, about three months before the shooting.
Investigators say she then reconciled with Oxendine in February and March of this year.
The text messages reportedly show Oxendine continuing to question her feelings for Bean, including asking whether she found Bean more attractive and accusing the sheriff’s captain of still having “the key” to her heart.
The woman reportedly told Oxendine she wanted to build a future with him, but investigators say he continued questioning her commitment to the relationship until roughly a week before Bean was killed.
On the night of the shooting, Bean allegedly asked the woman to meet him at his home after work so they could talk.
She initially agreed but later changed her mind and stopped responding, according to the warrant.
Bean then drove to her home despite her asking him not to come.
Authorities say he arrived outside and told her to come out, allegedly threatening to honk his horn and make a scene if she refused.
The woman went outside.
Oxendine followed her.
According to the warrant, Bean then got out of his vehicle and began moving “aggressively” toward Oxendine.
Oxendine allegedly fired two shots into the ground, but Bean continued walking toward him.
Investigators say Oxendine then fired several rounds at Bean, causing him to collapse.
Oxendine was later placed on administrative leave.
He is now being held without bail on the first-degree murder charge.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it respects the judicial process and called the situation “difficult and tragic for all involved.”
The agency said it has also been conducting a separate internal investigation while the criminal case moves forward.
Oxendine remains on administrative duty pending the outcome of that review.
He is expected back in court in November.
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