SBI continues

investigation

into Foscoe shooting
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

The State Bureau of Investigation is continuing to examine the events of an officer-involved shooting in Foscoe Wednesday night.

The incident occurred at a residence on N.C. 105 South near the Avery-Watauga county line.

The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office received a noise complaint alleging gunfire. No deputies were in the area at the time — as per procedure, a Seven Devils officer responded to the call as mutual aid.

Upon arrival, the officer, Jonathan Harris, approached the home. Police allege the owner, Walter Steele, 37, answered the door holding a gun.

According to a statement from the Seven Devils Police Department, Harris instructed Steele to drop the weapon at least three times. Officials say Steele then raised the weapon toward Harris, at which point Harris fired.

Steele was transported to Johnson City Area Medical Center in Tennessee via Wings Air Rescue. Watauga Medics, Avery Medics and Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department first responders were on scene.

Harris was the only officer on scene at the time of the shooting. Members of the Sugar Mountain Police Department, Avery County Sheriff’s Office, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Banner Elk Police Department arrived within minutes.

Harris has been with the Seven Devils Police Department approximately eight months. He has been placed on administrative leave following the shooting. Harris is a 2006 graduate of the Wilkes Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training program. Chief Chuck Davis said the officer is handling the stressful situation well and the department is offering him counseling.

“We will see that he gets anything he needs,” Davis said.

Steele remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit of JCAMC as of Monday morning, according to a spokesman for the Seven Devils Police Department.

Neighbors have described Steele as a person who keeps mainly to himself, though friendly when encountered.

He is an avid collector of World War II memorabilia, and operates an eBay business called History's Gift Shop.

A close friend and fellow-collector, who asked not to be identified, said he was in shock over the event.
“I have known Wally for 20 years and can’t believe he would point a gun at an officer,” he said.

Steele’s two dogs were at the home during the incident.

Both animals were picked up by the Watauga County Animal Control officer immediately following the shooting. Friends of Steele have since picked up the dogs and are caring for them.

This is the first shooting involving an officer in the history of the Seven Devils Police Department, which consists of five officers total. The town was founded in 1979.

Jennifer Cannon, assistant public information officer for the N.C. Department of Justice, said no details are released on an ongoing SBI investigation. Once complete, the SBI report will be turned over to Watauga County District Attorney Jerry Wilson for review.