DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — A Davidson County Deputy, a suspect, and the suspect’s wife were all shot after a domestic disturbance call Wednesday morning to a home on Cox Avenue.
Sheriff Simmons said it escalated from there, turning into a standoff situation. He said the gunfire exchange lasted for 15 minutes. Law enforcement brought in helicopters, and even a tank to end it. Authorities evacuated people in the area and had to set up a perimeter.
They identified the suspect as 57-year-old Terry Simerson and say a bullet from his high-powered rifle hit a deputy.
Deputies returned fire, hitting Simerson.
Photos: Scene from Cox Avenue standoff
Simerson’s wife was also found with a gunshot wound to the stomach in the yard.
Deputies say every time they tried to get closer to help the woman, Simerson just kept firing.
All three were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but this is the fourth deputy-involved shooting in Davidson County so far this year.
“Since I took office in December, it is the fourth. It’s just times are getting rougher but we’ll keep responding – we have a very brave department,” said Sheriff Simmons.
PHOTOS: Davidson County Standoff
Sheriff Simmons says they’ve had calls to the home in the past.
The SBI is investigating, which is standard after any officer-involved shooting.
All three have been released. Simerson is charged with one count of attempted 1st-degree murder and assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
He got a $300,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on December 2, 2019.
These are the other deputy-involved shootings that have happened in Davidson County this year: