A North Carolina State Highway Patrol sergeant has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean. Authorities say the shooting followed a yearslong romantic dispute involving Bean, patrol Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine and Tara Lynn Whitman. Bean was shot outside Whitman’s home in Hope Mills on March 27 after a confrontation with Oxendine. Court filings describe escalating jealousy, threatening messages and behavior Whitman and Bean characterized as stalking.
| 1) | Investigation and indictment |
| 2) | Relationship history |
| 3) | Messages and alleged stalking |
| 4) | The night of the shooting |
| 5) | Bean’s law enforcement service |
Investigation and indictment
Oxendine, 44, was indicted in connection with Bean’s death, according to authorities. The case concerns a shooting outside Whitman’s home in Hope Mills, North Carolina, on March 27. Police arrived and found Whitman performing CPR on Bean while Oxendine remained nearby, according to search warrant filings. Bean was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said the shooting emerged from a volatile personal dispute rather than an incident unrelated to the people involved. Oxendine has been charged with first-degree murder. The allegations are described in court documents, and the charge remains subject to the criminal court process.
Relationship history
According to investigators, Whitman began dating Bean in 2022 after ending a long-term relationship with Oxendine. She later ended her relationship with Bean and resumed her relationship with Oxendine. The overlapping history between the three people became central to the investigation into the fatal confrontation.
Whitman moved out of the home she shared with Bean after returning to Oxendine in December 2025. Court filings state that tension connected to Bean continued during the following three months. Investigators said Oxendine repeatedly sought reassurance about Whitman’s commitment and remained concerned about her connection to Bean.
Messages and alleged stalking
Search warrant materials cite text messages that investigators say reflected Oxendine’s persistent jealousy and insecurity. Whitman and Bean reportedly described some of his conduct as stalking. The messages included questions about Whitman’s contact with Bean, demands for explanations and statements indicating Oxendine knew where Bean lived.
“I seen u have been talking to Adam!!! Best wishes!!!”
The filing says Oxendine also warned Whitman that Bean should “get ready,” using profanity in the message. In the months before the shooting, he reportedly asked whether Bean was more attractive and accused Bean of being able to “lure u in and out of my life on demand.” The documents present those communications as part of the escalating circumstances preceding the shooting.
The night of the shooting
On March 27, Bean asked Whitman to meet him at his residence after work to talk. She initially agreed but later stopped responding to his messages. When she did not arrive, Bean sent a message saying he would come to her and threatened to sound his car horn and cause a scene if she did not come outside, according to the warrant.
When Bean arrived at Whitman’s home, investigators said he became angry after seeing Oxendine’s vehicle. Oxendine then stepped outside and fired approximately two warning shots into the ground. The filing says Bean continued moving toward him, after which Oxendine fired two or three additional shots. Bean fell onto his back in the yard. Police recovered a handgun and magazine nearby, according to the documents.
Bean’s law enforcement service
Bean had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. At the time of his death, he was assistant chief of detectives and held the rank of captain. His death prompted recognition from the sheriff’s office for his career and contributions to the agency.
Bean was posthumously awarded a Merit Award honoring his service, forward-thinking leadership, initiative and lasting contributions. The award reflects his professional record as the criminal case proceeds against Oxendine, who was a state highway patrol sergeant at the time of the alleged shooting.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oxendine faces a first-degree murder charge in Bean’s death. |
| 2 | The shooting occurred outside Whitman’s home in Hope Mills on March 27. |
| 3 | Investigators cited threatening texts and escalating jealousy in court filings. |
| 4 | Bean served the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. |
Summary
The indictment follows a fatal confrontation rooted in a complicated relationship history involving two law enforcement officers and one woman. Investigators’ filings describe months of threatening or jealous communications before Bean was shot outside Whitman’s home. Oxendine now faces a first-degree murder case, while Bean’s decades of service with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office have been formally recognized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the shooting?
North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, 44, was indicted and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean.
Where and when did the shooting occur?
Authorities said the shooting occurred on March 27 outside Tara Lynn Whitman’s home in Hope Mills, North Carolina.
What led investigators to focus on a romantic dispute?
Court filings describe relationships between Whitman, Bean and Oxendine, along with alleged jealousy, threatening texts and continued tension before the confrontation.
How long had Bean served in law enforcement?
Bean had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and most recently was assistant chief of detectives with the rank of captain.
