Sheriff: Victim’s social media post led to felony arrest in Ellenboro case

A Rutherford County domestic violence investigation escalated from a reported misdemeanor incident to felony charges after investigators confirmed that gunfire struck an occupied mobile home, authorities said.

Steven Thomas Ford, 25, was arrested Dec. 28, according to public records from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

The case drew widespread attention after the victim, Brandi Hutchins, posted on social media alleging that the father of her youngest child arrived at her Ellenboro home armed, attempted to force entry while she was on the phone with 911, and fired multiple rounds into a vehicle and toward the residence where six children were present. Hutchins alleged that no deputy initially responded in person and that she was advised by phone to seek charges and a restraining order through a magistrate.

Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg said deputies initially believed the incident involved misdemeanor-level offenses based on the information available during the patrol. According to the sheriff’s office, the victim told 911 that the suspect had left the scene, the immediate threat was over, and that she would call back if he returned. She also indicated she would go to the magistrate’s office to obtain warrants.

At that time, authorities said there was no indication that the occupied mobile home had been struck by gunfire, a factor that would have elevated the case to felony charges.

Later that night, deputies conducted a traffic stop on the suspect but did not arrest him because no warrants had been issued at that time. A deputy again spoke with the victim and understood there was no immediate threat and that she planned to pursue misdemeanor warrants. After those warrants were issued, deputies attempted to locate the suspect in the early morning hours of Dec. 28 but were unable to find him.

The investigation shifted later that day after deputies became aware of the social media post and returned to the residence with a patrol officer, a forensic investigator, and a detective from the Criminal Investigations Division. Authorities said a bullet hole was discovered inside the occupied mobile home, prompting investigators to obtain felony charges.

Ford was subsequently located and arrested, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators also recovered a small-caliber handgun believed to have been used in the incident. The weapon was found discarded along a roadway.

Public court records show Ford now faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including communicating threats, assault on a female, domestic criminal trespass, and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. He is also charged with felony shooting into an occupied dwelling and injury to personal property.

Court filings allege that a bullet ricocheted into the home while six people were inside, a circumstance that elevates the offense to a violent felony under North Carolina law.

The sheriff’s office said a comprehensive review of the incident, including call-for-service details and body camera footage, is ongoing. Officials said any appropriate actions resulting from that review will be taken once it is complete.

Authorities said they remain committed to transparency while adhering to legal standards that limit the release of certain information during an active prosecution.

Below is Sheriff Ellenburg's full statement. 

“After being made aware of a social media post made by the victim today, our patrol division was sent to speak with the individual who posted the information. This also prompted our forensic investigator and a detective from our Criminal Investigations Division to respond to the residence.

While the evidence, call-for-service details, and body camera footage are still being reviewed, the early investigation indicates that based on the information gathered during the initial patrol response last night, the incident appeared to involve misdemeanor-level charges. The victim stated to 911 that the suspect had left the scene, the threat was gone, and that she would call back if he returned. The victim also stated she would go to the magistrate’s office to obtain warrants. The understanding at that time was that the victim was leaving the scene and would pursue misdemeanor warrants for the offenses that had occurred. During that initial response, there was no indication that the occupied mobile home had been struck by gunfire, which would elevate the situation to felony-level charges.

Later that night, patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on the suspect; however, no warrants had been issued at that point and, based on the information deputies had, no arrest was made due to there being no active warrants. A deputy again spoke with the victim, and it was his understanding that there was no current threat and that she was on her way to obtain misdemeanor warrants at the magistrate’s office. After the victim did take out misdemeanor warrants, our patrol division attempted to locate the suspect in the early morning hours of 12/28/2025 to serve those warrants. After searching the property, they were unable to locate him at that time.

Today, once officers were made aware that a bullet hole had been located in the occupied mobile home, the situation changed. Appropriate felony and misdemeanor charges were obtained, and the suspect was located and arrested. Our patrol division, forensic investigator, and detective also located the suspected firearm believed to have been used, which was found discarded along the roadway. The suspected firearm was a small-caliber handgun.

A thorough review of the entire incident is underway. Once that review is complete, any appropriate actions resulting from the findings will be taken.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to being as transparent as possible without jeopardizing prosecution or violating legal standards that prevent the release of certain information. Our responsibility is to rely on facts, evaluate the information available at the time, and hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

WCAB News has obtained photographs related to the incident that were shared with this reporter by the victim.

WCAB News has obtained photographs related to the incident that were shared with this reporter by the victim.