LENOIR, NC (July 18, 2018)…The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office released the identity of the suspect responsible for shooting a deputy this past Sunday night. His name is Kerry Edwin Townsend.
Here is a recount of the events in this case that began this past Sunday night July 15, 2018…
A Caldwell County Deputy was shot late Sunday night on July 15, 2018 during a traffic stop. The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Cheraw Road near the intersection with Pisgah Church Road. Reportedly as the deputy approached the car, he was shot.
Local resident Gather King came to the deputy’s aid just after hearing the shot. (below is a video by WBTV’s Steve Ohnesorge)
The deputy was wearing a protective vest at the time but was hit below the vest. He was flown by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday, July 16 that the Deputy shot Sunday night in a traffic stop is 21-year-old Jordan Sherrill. He has been with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s office for just over one year. “Hopefully, what it sounds like, he’s going to make a full recovery, so we’re blessed about that,” Jones said during the press conference.
All Caldwell County Law Enforcement assisted in some capacity. Caldwell County Sheriff, SBI, NC Highway Patrol, Burke County Sheriff and the US Marshal Service were the primary agencies assisting with the investigation leading up to the break-in at the house on Zacks Fork Road on Tuesday, July 17. The Watauga County Sheriff offered assistance as well.
Caldwell County Sheriff Alan Jones told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that they had a tip about a break-in at a house along Zacks Fork Road. Sheriff Jones stated, “I had a feeling about it.”
At approximately 4pm on Tuesday, July 17 Caldwell County Sheriff Office SWAT team members entered the home and came across a man and a woman. Sheriff Jones said the man had a handgun and pointed it at the SWAT team and starting firing. The SWAT team returned fire and the man was killed. Sheriff Jones said, “he is the one who shot deputy Sherrill” this past Sunday night.
The woman was not injured and was taken into custody. Sheriff Jones believed that
the woman was with the man when the deputy was shot. She was identified as Stephanie Sipes and was booked and then taken to the Caldwell County Magistrate Office. Sipes was charged with Accessory after the Fact of Attempted Murder. Sheriff Jones said more charges may be filed as investigators are still looking into the case.
There are still some unanswered questions, especially why the deputy was shot.
A bond of $1,000,000 was set for Stephanie Sipes.
Stephanie Sipes was in court today Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Sipes will be in court again on Thursday, August 9, 2018 for a probable cause hearing.
Both Kerry Edwin Townsend and Stephanie Sipes have extensive prior records.