SBI continues to investigate

Seven Devils shooting

The State Bureau of Investigations is still involved in the investigation of the officer-involved shooting death of Walter Steele,37, of Foscoe.

On Jan. 9 the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office received a noise complaint alleging gunfire. No deputies were in the area, and, as per procedure, a Seven Devils officer responded to the call as mutual aid.

Upon arrival, officer Jonathan Harris approached the home on N.C. 105 South near the Avery-Watauga county line. Police allege Steele answered the door holding a gun.

Statements from authorities as the time of the incident allege Harris instructed Steele to drop the weapon at least three times. The statement further reads that Steele then raised the weapon toward the officer. Harris is said to have then shot Steele three times.

Steele was transported to Johnson City Area Medical Center in Tennessee via Wings Air Rescue, where he died on Jan. 21, still in intensive care.

Harris was placed on administrative leave for 12 days following the shooting. He had been with the Seven Devils department for approximately eight months.

The SBI was called in to investigate the death as a standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. Jennifer Canada, assistance public information officer for the SBI, said as of Wednesday, their investigation is continuing. Canada offered no other information or expected completion date, saying only, “Each investigation is different and I can't speculate.”

Seven Devils police chief Chuck Davis said he had not spoken to the investigating officer in three weeks. As of their last conversation, lab results were still pending.

Once complete, the SBI report will be turned over to Watauga County District Attorney Jerry Wilson for review.

— Melanie Davis, melanie@mountaintimes.com