A Robeson County Sheriff's Office SWAT team member was shot during the execution of a narcotics search warrant Thursday afternoon.

The investigator, Kevin Chavis, was shot in the abdomen while attempting to secure a residence at 2506 Evergreen Church Road in Pembroke. Chavis was taken to UNC Southeastern Medical Center for treatment and is expected to recover fully.

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Two suspects were arrested at the scene: Kendall Ray Deese, 25, and Tina Locklear, 53.

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In an interview with WRAL's Gilbert Baez outside the home, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the deputies split up into two teams when they entered the mobile home. One was shot.

"One of the deputies took immediate fire," Wilkins said. "The suspect was shooting through the wall from a closet area. He actually didn't really see the guy."

Wilkins explained the deputy was shot along his side and immediately fell down. The deputy was wearing an oversized SWAT team vest and doctors said it likely saved his life.

"Even the doctor at the hospital said had he not been wearing that large of a vest, it would have been deadly," Wilkins said.

Some of Deese's charges include the following:

  • Three counts of attempted first-degree murder
    • Three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm
      • One count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
        • One count of discharging a weapon in an enclosed area to incite fear

          Locklear was charged with the following crimes:

          • Possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine
            • Maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance
              • Felony conspiracy
                • Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

                  Both suspects were taken to the Robeson County Detention Center with a $15 million secured bond. Wilkins said that he is "disturbed" by the violence against Chavis and that his office will "not stop at bringing those to justice that continue to wreak havoc on our communities."

                  Anyone with additional information about the shooting or drug activity in Robeson County is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff's Office Drug Enforcement Division at 910-671-3191.