A North Carolina State Highway Patrol sergeant has been indicted on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of a sheriff’s captain, a case authorities say grew out of a long-running romantic conflict involving a woman both law enforcement officers had dated.
Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, 44, is accused of shooting Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean on March 27 outside a woman’s home in Hope Mills after the two men got into a confrontation, according to authorities and CityView.
When police arrived, they found Tara Lynn Whitman performing CPR on Bean while Oxendine remained at the scene, search warrant records state. Officials said Bean was pronounced dead there.
State investigators said in court filings that the deadly encounter came after years of mounting tension tied to Whitman’s relationships with both men.
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean was fatally shot on March 27 after a domestic confrontation. (Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office)
According to investigators, Oxendine had displayed persistent jealousy and insecurity over the years regarding Whitman’s connection to Bean.
According to the warrant, Whitman began dating Bean in 2022 after ending a long-term relationship with Oxendine. She eventually ended that relationship and returned to Oxendine.
While Whitman was with Bean, Oxendine appeared to exhibit increasingly concerning behavior, according to text messages cited in the warrant. Whitman and Bean had described some of his behavior as “stalking,” documents reported.
“I seen u have been talking to Adam!!! Best wishes!!!” Oxendine wrote in one message.
“Better tell that Mother F—er to get ready too!!! ” he added.
Oxendine also sent messages questioning Whitman’s decision to stay with Bean, demanding to know the truth and claiming he knew where Bean lived, according to the warrant.
In December 2025, Whitman eventually resumed her romantic relationship with Oxendine, moving out of the home she shared with Bean.
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FILE — The Cumberland County Jail building is pictured in North Carolina. Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean was fatally shot following a romantic dispute, authorities said. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
For the next three months, however, Oxendine continued to show insecurity over Bean, asking Whitman whether Bean was more attractive and accusing him of having the power to “lure u in and out of my life on demand.” He also sought continued reassurance about Whitman’s commitment, according to the warrant
Then, on the night of March 27, Bean asked Whitman to come to his residence after work to talk. Whitman initially agreed but later stopped responding to his messages.
When Whitman did not show up, Bean messaged her, “F— it, I’ll come to you,” and threatened to blow his car horn and cause a scene if she did not come outside.
When Bean arrived, he became irate after seeing Oxendine’s vehicle parked outside, according to the warrant.
Oxendine stepped outside and fired about two warning shots into the ground. Bean continued advancing toward him, and Oxendine then opened fire two to three more times, according to the warrant.
Bean collapsed onto his back in the yard, according to the warrant. Police said they found a handgun and magazine nearby.
Oxendine has been charged with first-degree murder.
FILE — A North Carolina State Highway Patrol vehicle drives through high water. Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, a state highway patrol sergeant, was indicted in Bean’s killing. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Bean had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and most recently served as assistant chief of detectives with the rank of captain.
He was posthumously recognized with the Merit Award for his outstanding service, forward-thinking leadership, initiative and lasting contributions to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.