Waffle House Tragedy: Teen Employee Fatally Shot

An 18-year-old employee tragically lost his life during a shooting at a Waffle House in Laurinburg, North Carolina, early Friday morning. The victim, Burlie Dawson Locklear, was at work when the incident occurred.

Laurinburg Police Captain Chris Young confirmed that a customer opened fire inside the restaurant. The incident took place around 12:45 a.m., according to WPDE. The suspect, described as a black male with light skin, long dreadlocks, and facial hair, became angry and verbally abusive while waiting for his food.

After receiving his meal, the suspect reportedly went to his vehicle. However, he then turned back and fired two shots toward the restaurant, fatally wounding Locklear.

The suspect fled the scene in a dark grey Chevrolet, possibly a 2014 model, as reported by ABC 11. Locklear was rushed to Scotland Memorial Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. This marks the second shooting at this Waffle House location within the past year.

Incidents like these are not isolated to Laurinburg. Waffle Houses across the country have experienced similar violent events. In 2020, a man shot a Waffle House cook after being asked to wear a mask. In another instance, a gunman shot a customer who had been handing out $20 bills to other patrons.

Local Pastor Michael Edds, who resides near the Laurinburg Waffle House, expressed his frustration over the increasing violence.
“We have this young man trying to make a living, and some thug shoots him and kills him. We’ve got to be more reactive,” Edds told ABC 11.

Edds emphasized the need for increased police patrols around businesses, particularly at night. He called for proactive measures to ensure the safety of community members and workers alike.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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