16-year-old killed while attending party at 3 am, NC cops says. Motive unknown

A “heartbreaking” homicide investigation is underway after a 16-year-old boy was killed for reasons unknown at a pre-dawn party, North Carolina investigators say.

It happened just after 3 a.m. Sunday at a rural home in Robeson County, and investigators have yet to identify a shooter.

“Deputies responded to a residence the area of Josie Lane and Kitchen Street Rd. in Rowland in reference to an individual shot. Keedon Lewis, 16, of Lumberton was found deceased upon the arrival,” the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 8 news release.

“We know there were a number of individuals present at the gathering, and we are asking anyone who may have been in attendance or who has any information about what occurred to please come forward. ... Even the smallest detail could be important in helping us understand exactly what happened.”

Brandon Lewis was identified as the boy’s father by WPDE and he told the station his son was shot in a field, “just a few yards from the place he called home.” He believes the boy was set up and lured to the site, the station reports.

Keedon’s social media accounts show he was a hunter and angler, and not above leading group sing-a-longs at events. He attended Purnell Swett High School in Pembroke, and was a member of the Lumbee nation, friends noted on social media.

“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who are now facing an unimaginable loss,” Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a news release.

Rowland is about a 110-mile drive southwest from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 6:42 AM.