Patrol sergeant accused of murdering sheriff’s captain in yearslong romantic dispute over woman they dated

A North Carolina highway patrol sergeant has been indicted in the murder of a sheriff’s captain following a years-long romantic dispute involving a woman both officers dated, according to authorities.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. Nekime Matu Oxendine, 44, reportedly shot Cumberland County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Bean on March 27 outside the woman’s home in Hope Mills following a confrontation between the two men, according to authorities and CityView.

Police arrived to find the woman, Tara Lynn Whitman, performing CPR on Bean as Oxendine remained nearby, according to search warrant filings. Bean was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

The fatal shooting followed years of escalating tension surrounding Whitman’s relationships with both men, state investigators wrote in court filings.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.