Firefighter Injured in Ellerbe Shooting, Suspect in Custody

Firefighters responding to a call in Ellerbe, North Carolina, came under gunfire upon arrival.

Richmond County deputies were dispatched to 1023 Green Lake Road, where they learned that one firefighter had been shot. According to the fire department’s Facebook page, the firefighter—whose name has not been released—was airlifted to a trauma center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the case and collect evidence at the scene.

Deputies identified Timothy Lee Hayden as the suspect. He was taken into custody and charged with two counts of assault on emergency personnel with a firearm and one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. He is being held without bond.

Authorities say a motive for the shooting has not been determined.