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N.C. man steals ambulance, fatally shoots woman after crash

Robeson County deputies say the man stole an ambulance after threatening EMS providers, then crashed and fatally shot a 74-year-old driver

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A 74-year-old woman was fatally shot after a man allegedly stole an ambulance at gunpoint from EMS workers responding to a medical call in the Maxton area, authorities said.

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, Cheyenne Woods, 36, of Red Springs, pulled a gun on two EMS providers during transport to a hospital and drove off in the ambulance, WMBF reported. Investigators said Woods later crashed the ambulance into another vehicle, got out and fatally shot the driver, Marie Locklear, 74, also of Red Springs.

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Sheriff Burnis Wilkins described the case as deeply disturbing and said it was especially frustrating given Woods’s criminal history.

Wilkins said the sheriff’s office extends its thoughts and prayers to Locklear’s family and to the EMS personnel who were traumatized during the incident.

Woods faces charges including first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, multiple firearm offenses, assault on EMS personnel and discharging a firearm into occupied property.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.