Police say a guy shot three tree workers while they were cutting down trees for a power company and then shot himself while being arrested.
A statement from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday said that the incident started near Murphytown, North Carolina, in the Green Mountain area of Yancey County. Lucas Wilson Murphy, 36, a local, confronted contract workers who were clearing the right of way for the power company.
In their statement, the police said, “Mr. Murphy was armed during the confrontation with the tree service workers, and as a result, three workers were shot.” “All three victims were seriously hurt and were taken to hospitals in the area, where they are currently receiving medical care.”
Deputies from Yancey County came to the scene right away and started shooting at Murphy as they tried to arrest him.
According to the cops, Mr. Murphy was hurt in an officer-involved shooting that happened during this exchange. “After that, he was arrested right away.” Murphy was taken to a nearby hospital and is now getting treatment for his wound.
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation both said that they are thoroughly investigating what happened, but they did not say what the possible reasons were.
“First, I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the people who were shot today in Asplundh and hope they get better soon.” I’m so proud of my amazing dispatchers and cops! “They did a great job responding and quickly getting things under control,” Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard wrote on social media after the shooting. “I want to thank Heritage EMS, the out-of-county EMS departments, the fire departments, the rescue squad, and the other police departments that sent people to help from the bottom of my heart.”
We don’t know what’s wrong with the three workers right now, but more information will be shared as it comes in.
