A man shot three forestry workers as they felled trees for a power company before being shot by officers during his arrest, police said.
The incident began near Murphytown, North Carolina, located in the Green Mountain area of Yancey County, when local resident Lucas Wilson Murphy, 36, confronted contract workers clearing the right of way for the power company, according to a statement from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office released Wednesday.
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“Mr. Murphy was armed during the confrontation with Forest Service workers and subsequently three workers were shot,” authorities said in a statement. “All three victims suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals, where they are receiving medical treatment”.
Yancey County deputies immediately responded to the scene and began exchanging gunfire with Murphy as they attempted to arrest him.
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“During this exchange, an officer-involved shooting occurred, resulting in Mr. Murphy being injured,” police said. “He was immediately taken into custody. Murphy was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injury.”
Authorities have not released any possible motives in the case, but the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have confirmed they are conducting a full investigation into the incident.
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“I want to start by saying that my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today’s shooting in Asplundh for a speedy recovery. I am so proud of my amazing deputies and dispatchers! They did an incredible job responding and controlling the situation quickly,” Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said in a social media post following the shooting. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Heritage EMS, the out-of-county EMS departments, the fire departments, the rescue squad and the other law enforcement agencies who sent personnel to help.”
The conditions of the three workers are currently unknown and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
3 Tree Workers Shot While Clearing Way for Power Company Before Suspect Was Shot by Cops During Arrest originally appeared in abcnews.go.com
