5 Pronounced Dead After 13 Hour Standoff

Five people have died after a stand off near Boone North Carolina. Two Watauga County Sheriff’s Deputies and three civilians including the suspected gunman died during the stand off which lasted over 13 hours. According to Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman Deputies responded yesterday morning around 9:44 a.m. to a call for a wellness check because a homeowner did not show up for work or respond to phone calls. They entered the home in the Browns Chapel area and were immediately fired upon.

According to Hagaman, a Boone Police Officer who participated in the initial rescue attempt was shot in the head but his helmet saved him from injury. Sergeant Chris Ward died after being flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee for treatment. K-9 Deputy Logan Fox also died in the incident. Neighbors were evacuated from the neighborhood but were cleared to return home. Flags have been lowered to half staff and a memorial of candles, flowers and photos were on display outside of the Sheriff’s Office.