ON April 28, 2021, police ended a 13-hour showdown with a gunman who had barricaded himself inside a North Carolina home.
There were several fatalities as a result of the standoff.
A suspect barricaded himself inside a North Carolina home after allegedly shooting five people, of which two were members of his family, on April 28, 2021.
The Watauga County Sheriff’s office was called for a welfare check at a home in Boone at 9.45 am after the homeowner and his family did not show up for work or answer phone calls.
Responding officers entered the North Carolina home when they found the family’s vehicles still parked outside, WX11 reports.
A person inside the home began to fire and hit at least two deputies.
The shooter reportedly barricaded himself into the home and periodically fired at law enforcement officers at the scene throughout the day, according to the sheriff’s office.
Neighboring residents were told to remain indoors while others were evacuated from the area.
There were five fatalities in the incident, including the suspect’s parents and two deputies.
Watauga County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Sgt Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox had been shot dead after responding to a welfare check at a family’s home.
The suspect was also killed, as were his parents, it has been revealed as investigations continues into the deadly standoff in North Carolina, reports WGHP.
Lexington Police tweeted: “Our hearts go out to the Watauga County Sheriffs Department this morning as they deal with the tragic death Sgt. Chris Ward.
“‘Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down their life for their friends.”
North Carolina Rep Ray Rickett addressed the state legislature around 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon about the situation.
“I received some terrible news from Watauga County today,” he said.
“We’ve had a situation, at first we thought it was a teenager but through further reports, he was an older gentleman.
“He killed his mother and father today. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check. He ambushed them, shot three of them – killed one. A second one is holding on by a thread.”
Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman also spoke about the shooting during a conference, saying: “This is an incredibly tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved as well as their families and our community.
“I greatly appreciate the tremendous support we are receiving from law enforcement agencies across the region and the state.”
Trish Kanipe, a resident of the community said she was “heartbroken” when she heard the gunshots, adding: “I live up by where it happened, so I heard the gunshots and immediately knew something was wrong.”
