A sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol has been formally indicted on a murder charge, accused of fatally shooting a Cumberland County Sheriff’s captain. The incident, which took place on March 27 outside a residence in Hope Mills, is believed to be the culmination of a protracted romantic dispute involving a woman both law enforcement officers had previously dated.

Authorities identified the accused as Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, 44. He faces charges in connection with the death of Capt. Adam Bean. Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officials found the woman, Tara Lynn Whitman, administering CPR to Bean, who was later pronounced dead. Oxendine remained at the location.

Escalation of a turbulent relationship

Investigators detailed a history of escalating tensions between Oxendine and Bean, centered around their respective relationships with Tara Lynn Whitman. Court documents indicate that Oxendine harbored persistent jealousy and insecurity regarding Whitman’s connection to Bean over several years. This emotional conflict reportedly intensified following shifts in Whitman’s romantic involvements.

Whitman began dating Captain Bean in 2022, shortly after concluding a long-term relationship with Sergeant Oxendine. However, that relationship eventually ended, and Whitman later reconciled with Oxendine. During the period when Whitman was involved with Bean, Oxendine allegedly exhibited increasingly concerning behaviors, as evidenced by text messages cited in search warrant filings.

These messages from Oxendine to Whitman and, indirectly, to Bean, revealed a pattern of possessiveness and veiled threats. Some of the behaviors described by Whitman and Bean in legal documents were characterized as “stalking.”

• “I seen u have been talking to Adam!!! Best wishes!!!” Oxendine reportedly wrote in one message.
• He followed up with a more aggressive statement: “Better tell that Mother F—er to get ready too!!!”
• Oxendine also sent messages questioning Whitman’s decision to be with Bean, demanding answers and asserting knowledge of Bean’s residence.

In December 2025, Whitman resumed her romantic relationship with Oxendine and moved out of the home she had shared with Bean. Despite this, Oxendine’s insecurity regarding Bean reportedly persisted for the subsequent three months. He continued to seek reassurance from Whitman about her commitment and questioned whether Bean possessed an ability to “lure u in and out of my life on demand.”

The fatal confrontation

The events of March 27 began when Captain Bean asked Tara Lynn Whitman to meet him at his residence after work to talk. Whitman initially agreed to the meeting but subsequently ceased responding to his messages. When Whitman failed to appear, Bean reportedly sent a message stating, “F— it, I’ll come to you,” and threatened to use his car horn to create a disturbance if she did not come outside.

Upon Bean’s arrival at Whitman’s home, he reportedly became enraged after observing Oxendine’s vehicle parked nearby. According to the warrant, Oxendine then stepped outside and discharged approximately two warning shots into the ground. As Bean continued to advance toward him, Oxendine reportedly fired an additional two to three shots, causing Bean to collapse in the yard. Police later discovered a handgun and a magazine in the vicinity of the scene.

Victim’s distinguished service

Captain Adam Bean was a respected and long-serving member of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, having dedicated two decades to law enforcement. At the time of his death, he held the rank of captain and served as the assistant chief of detectives. His extensive career was marked by significant contributions to public safety and criminal investigations within the community.

Posthumously, Captain Bean was honored with the Merit Award, recognizing his outstanding service, forward-thinking leadership, initiative, and lasting impact on the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. His colleagues and the community remember him for his commitment to justice and his role in protecting the citizens he served. The tragic circumstances of his death have cast a somber shadow over the local law enforcement community.