Police: Resident pulls gun, shoots would-be robber

LUMBERTON, NC (WMBF) – Lumberton police said a man was shot while attempting to rob a resident Tuesday.

At around 5:50 p.m., two suspects went to a home in the 1100 block of Cherokee Street with the intent to rob the tenant, according to a news release.

Police said the suspects pulled a gun on the tenant who was inside an open garage in the backyard.

The tenant, a 39-year-old man, pulled his own gun and shot one of the suspects in the upper leg, the release states. Police said several shots were fired but only one person was shot.

According to the release, officers detained the tenant until they were able to determine what happened.

Authorities said they found Demarreon McDaniel, 26, of Rowland, lying in the backyard with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound.

McDaniel was transported to the hospital with a serious and potentially life-threatening injury, according to the release.

The investigation led police to the second gunman, identified as 27-year-old Sterling Herman Hester, of Lumberton, the release states.

Police said warrants were issued for Hester’s arrest and he was taken into custody Wednesday morning with the assistance of the Robeson County SWAT team and North Carolina Probation and Parole.

Hester is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and felony conspiracy and received $100,000 secured bond. He is currently being held in the Robeson County Detention Center and is scheduled to have his first court appearance later Wednesday.

McDaniel remains in stable condition and was flown to another hospital for further treatment.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Robert Nolley or Detective Charles Keenum at the Lumberton Police Department at 910-671-3845.