MORGANTON, N.C. — Officials say a U.S. Forest Officer and a homicide suspect have been shot and killed in Burke County.
Police say the suspect, 38-year-old Troy David Whisnant, was killed after he shot and killed U.S. Forest Officer Jason Crisp. Whisnant was a person of interest in a double homicide that happened in Burke County early Wednesday morning.
According to Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant, deputies responded to a welfare check around 8:53 a.m. at Levi and Rhonda Whisnant’s home on Fish Hatchery Road. Authorities say friends of the couple hadn’t heard from them since Friday and contacted authorities. The couple’s son immediately became a person of interest.
When deputies reached the home on Wednesday, the couple’s bodies were found inside. Officials said there was a sign of a struggle. Authorities also said a vehicle was missing from the property. While deputies were at the scene, the NC Highway Patrol advised they were investigating two vehicle larcenies.
Deputies located one of the stolen vehicles off of Old Table Rock Road and began tracking the Troy Whisnant through the woods. While searching for the suspect, Jason Crisp, was shot and killed. Officers eventually located Troy Whisnant in the woods. The suspect was asked to drop his weapon but fired a shot at the officers. Officers returned fire fatally wounding the suspect.
Freedom High School was placed on lockdown at 12:30 p.m. because of the investigation.
The investigation concerning the U.S. Forest Officer shooting is being handled by the FBI and the shooting of the suspect by law enforcement officers is being handled by the State Bureau of Investigations.
