The Border Belt Independent is tracking homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in southeastern North Carolina.

The map will be updated each week using information from local law enforcement agencies and media reports. Click on the pins within the map for details.

Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties typically record violent crime rates that exceed statewide figures. When asked what contributes to the prevalence of violence, community leaders often point to factors such as poverty and drugs.

Our goal with this tracker is to identify trends in homicides in 2024. We hope that you, our readers, will gain insights about the violence in your own neighborhoods — and maybe come up with ideas on how to curb that violence.