Officer shoots armed man
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

A Seven Devils police officer shot an armed man in Foscoe following a noise complaint on Wednesday night.

The Seven Devils Police Department reported an officer responded to a mutual aid call from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a noise complaint involving gunfire.

The officer drove to 11765 N.C. 105 South at approximately 10 p.m.

The officer reportedly approached the home, which is located near the Watauga-Avery county line, and the man, identified as Walter Steele, answered the door holding a weapon.

According to police statements, the officer repeatedly told the man to drop the weapon.

A representative of the Seven Devils Police Department said the suspect refused and pointed the weapon at the officer.

The officer fired an as-yet unknown number of shots, wounding the suspect.

A spokesperson for the State Bureau of Investigation identified the officer involved in the shooting as Jonathan Harris.

Avery County Medics, Watauga Medics and Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department first responders were called to the scene. The suspect was transported by Watauga Medics to a landing zone established by members of the Foscoe fire department. He was transported to Johnson City Area Medical Center in Tennesse via Wings Air Rescue.

Steele, who is believed to be in his late 30s, was listed in critical condition.

Officers from the Sugar Mountain Police Department, Avery County Sheriff’s Office, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Banner Elk Police Department were on scene.

The State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case, which is standard in the event of an officer-involved shooting. A statement from SBI officials is expected soon.