On Sunday, August 20, 2023, deputies with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office responded to an address in the Woodlawn community of McDowell County for a subject making threats and in violation of an active Domestic Violence Protective Order. While deputies were speaking with the suspect, a struggle ensued, the suspect displayed a shotgun at deputies and deputies shot the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were physically injured during the incident. The NC State Bureau of Investigation was requested to conduct the shooting investigation.
"This was a terrible situation that our guys were placed in and forced to use deadly force" states Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan, "Our prayers are with the family of the deceased."
The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the NC State Bureau of Investigation, NC State Highway Patrol, McDowell County EMS and McDowell County Emergency Management.
The Sheriff’s Office will not be releasing any further information at this time, as this is still an ongoing investigation by the NC State Bureau of Investigation. All further inquiries or information can be directed to the Western District office of the SBI.
