Burke County murder

suspect now in custody
By Melanie Davis
Melanie@mountaintimes.com

A man accused of shooting his ex-wife's boyfriend is in custody in Burke County following the incident Tuesday night.

Officers allege Darrell Wayne Buchanan, 47, of Burke County, went to the home of ex-wife at 6775 Jonas Ridge Road, just over the Avery-Burke county line, on the evening the couple's divorce was finalized.

The residence was shared by Buchanan's ex-wife, her boyfriend and his two sons.

An altercation broke out ending in gunfire.

Thurman “Tink” Ray Hudson was killed.

Statements indicate Buchanan then forced his ex-wife into a vehicle.

Buchanan was shot in the arm during the incident; however, it is unclear who fired the shot.

Buchanan forced his ex-wife to drive the vehicle, though she escaped when passed by an Avery County sheriff's deputy en route to the 911 call made from the residence.

Initial reports said the 911 caller had hung up the telephone.

On a tape released by Burke County officials, no one speaks to the dispatcher, but shouting and gunfire can be heard in the background.

After Buchanan's ex-wife escaped the vehicle in an attempt to flag down the Avery deputy, Buchanan is alleged to have fired several shots at the deputy’s vehicle, shattering the windows and causing minor injuries to the officer.

Buchanan then escaped on foot. Authorities from Avery and Burke counties searched throughout the night into Wednesday morning.

Burke County officials say Buchanan surrendered without incident after negotiations via telephone. He was treated for the gunshot wound at Grace Memorial Hospital in Burke County and released in the custody of officers.

Buchanan contends the shooting death of Hudson was in self-defense, saying Hudson fired the first shot.

Prior to the incident, Buchanan had left a cassette recorder in the care of his sister, which she has turned over to authorities. The contents of the tape have not been released.

It has been reported that Buchanan suffers mental illness and was not taking his prescribed medication.

The incident remains under investigation, and the charges against Buchanan have not yet been released.