LUMBERTON, NC – In a tragic turn of events, a Good Samaritan paid with his life while attempting to prevent a carjacking in Lumberton, North Carolina. Jonathan Adam Lecompte, a 38-year-old resident of Fayetteville, was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by the carjacker.
The confrontation occurred last month but only recently came to public attention through a distressing video. The footage captures a tense exchange of gunfire near a tow truck, followed by the horrifying moment when Lecompte, wearing a reflective vest, is run over as the vehicle makes a rapid escape from the scene.
Authorities have identified the driver as 28-year-old Ricky Alex Driggers, who now faces multiple charges including first-degree murder and two counts of attempted common law robbery. The sequence of events unfolded rapidly, starting with Driggers’ involvement in a hit-and-run in a local gas station parking lot, followed by his attempts to hijack another vehicle outside a McDonald’s on W. 5th Street.
Lecompte was among several citizens who courageously intervened to stop the carjacking. Despite their efforts, the situation escalated fatally when Driggers commandeered a vehicle and used it as a weapon against Lecompte. The victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, marking a grievous end to a valiant attempt to uphold public safety.
The police pursuit concluded with Driggers crashing the stolen vehicle on Selma Road near Highway 41, where he was apprehended and taken into custody. He is currently being held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with intervening in violent crimes. While the bravery displayed by Lecompte and others is commendable, it tragically underscores the unpredictable and dangerous nature of such confrontations. As the community mourns the loss of a brave individual, authorities and residents alike are reminded of the delicate balance between civic duty and personal safety.
