On 6/26/22, at approximately 7:30 PM, Deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting on Webb road in Ellenboro. Initial information said the suspect was being detained by witnesses on scene. Dispatch updated deputies just before their arrival that the suspect had escaped and ran into a wooded area. Responding Deputies were flagged down near a residence on Webb Rd.in Ellenboro and advised the shooting victim was in a vehicle near by the scene. Deputies located Robert Buckner, of Ellenboro in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies quickly assessed Buckner’s injuries and coordinated medical units to the location for treatment. Buckner at this time advised Deputies that James Tyler Flynn was the subject who had shot him.
Rutherford County EMS responded and transported Buckner to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Witnesses on scene advised deputies that prior to their arrival Flynn had ran into a nearby wooded area. Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and with the aid of K9 Koda and handler, Sergeant Lancaster, began searching for Flynn. During this time Investigators responded to the crime scene that was being secured by a Trooper of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. After tracking Flynn through the wooded area, deputies were informed the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office had Flynn in custody. Cleveland Deputies had been called to a nearby convenience store due to a male subject causing a disturbance, which turned out to be Flynn. The store was approximately three miles from the scene.
Flynn was taken into custody and transported to Rutherford Regional Hospital and treated for minor injuries sustained during the altercation with Buckner. Flynn was later transported to the Rutherford County Detention Facility.
James Tyler Flynn was charged with Assault with Deadly Weapon with Intent to kill and Possession of Firearm by Felon. Flynn received a $50,000 secured bond.
Buckner was treated for three non-life threating gunshot wounds.
