Was it a crime of passion or jealousy? A North Carolina state trooper has been accused of fatally shooting another officer.
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Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, 44, was indicted on first-degree murder charges on Wednesday for allegedly fatally shooting Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Cap. Adam Bean on March 27, WRAL reported.
Oxendine reportedly discovered Bean at the home of a woman with whom the two law enforcement officers were allegedly romantically involved.
Moments later, Oxendine allegedly fired several gunshots at Bean, who served in law enforcement for over two decades. When officers arrived, the woman, who is not named because she is a domestic violence victim, was performing CPR on Bean, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
Nekime Matu Placed on Administrative Leave After Killing Cop
"The North Carolina State Highway Patrol understands that Sgt. Nekime M. Oxendine has been criminally charged," the Highway Patrol said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "The Patrol respects the integrity of the judicial process and our system of laws that we all hold dear. This is a difficult and tragic event for all involved. While this criminal investigation has moved forward, the Patrol has been conducting a separate internal investigation. That investigation is continuing, and Sgt. Oxendine remains on administrative duty pending the outcome of the internal investigation. The Patrol has no further comment."
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said it completed its investigation and turned its findings over to a special prosecutor with the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys.
According to text search warrants obtained by News & Observer, the woman dated Oxendine before engaging in a long-term relationship with Bean.
When Oxendine discovered her newfound romance, he allegedly threatened Bean over text.
"I see u have been talking to Adam!!! Best Wishes!!!" Oxendine allegedly texted the woman in July 2022, according to one search warrant. "Better tell that [expletive] to get ready too!!!"
Bean was recognized at Wednesday's 2026 VALOR Awards Ceremony, the sheriff's office said.
"Capt. Bean played a pivotal role in advancing a modernized Career Development Step Plan, addressing a pay structure that had not been comprehensively updated since its inception in 1980. His efforts helped strengthen the agency's ability to recruit, retain, and support highly qualified personnel while contributing directly to the continued effectiveness of public safety operations throughout Cumberland County," the sheriff's office told ABC11.
