New Year's Day

home invasion

leaves one

person hospitalized
By Melanie Davis
Melanie@highcountrymedia.net

A New Year's Day home invasion has left one person in the hospital.

Deputies with the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and a trooper from the N.C. Highway Patrol responded just after 7 p.m. to a home on Wards Branch Road in the Sugar Grove area of Watauga County.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Donald Lee McCormick, 38, of Kirby Branch Road in Zionville, inside the residence in possession of a pistol.

The occupants of the residence told officers that McCormick had burst through the back door, brandished the handgun, fired at them and then used the pistol to strike one of the victims.

Cove Creek first responders and Watauga Medics were summoned to the scene to treat the victims. One of the victims was transported to Watauga Medical Center with serious injuries.

An exact number of occupants at the home has not been released.

McCormick was placed under arrest and is currently being held at the Watauga County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

He has been charged with two counts each of communicating threats and assault by pointing a gun.

The investigation into this incident is continuing, and Capt. Dee Dee Rominger with the Watauga County Sheriff's Office said additional charges are pending.