Full Notification

On March 29, 2023, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Henrico County (Va.) Police Division regarding a suspect connected to a shooting that occurred on March 28, 2023.  Henrico County advised the suspect, Tiye Adam Washington II, could possibly be traveling to the Rutherford County area.  Rutherford County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with members of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Criminal Apprehension Team, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Forest City Police Department, ATF, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherfordton Police Department and the Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted a search for the suspect in the Chase Community of Rutherford County following the notification from Henrico County, Va. 

In the early morning hours of March 30, 2023, law enforcement encountered Washington in the area of Old Henrietta Road and Providence Road.  During an exchange of gunfire, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured, and Washington sustained injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The injured Deputy was transported to an area hospital and is being treated for his injuries. 

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Western District Field Office has been requested to investigate the Officer Involved Shooting.  The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office will also conduct an internal investigation into the shooting.  The names of the Deputies/Officers involved in the incident will be provided in the coming days.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our thanks not only to those agencies mentioned above, but also to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Emergency Management and Rutherford County EMS for their assistance, as well as to all of those who have reached out with prayers and support for our Deputy and the Sheriff’s Office.