Investigators Searching for Suspect Accused of Shooting Shelby Police Officer

SHELBY, NC – A Shelby Police Officer is fighting for his life after being shot in the line of duty.

Meanwhile an active search continues for the man accused of pulling the trigger.

Officer Tim Brackeen’s family says he is in critical condition, but his brain is not functioning after the shooting.

Investigators say 23-year-old Irving Fenner Jr. shot Brackeen just before 12:30 Saturday morning.

It happened near the intersection of Gidney and Parkview Streets.

Brackeen was looking for Fenner, who was wanted for burglary, kidnapping, and robbery.

“It’s been tough. We’ve had a lot of crying. A lot of sadness. A lot of confusion. A lot of praying,” says Brackeen’s neighbor Chrissy Helton.

Neighbors say Brackeen always stopped by and it made them feel safer to have a police officer so close to home.

“Always talking. And how’s your family doing and checking up on us and what’s going on.
Always concerned,” Helton says.

Throughout town, businesses posted signs in support for the officer and his family.

“Officer Brackeen, I just mean, he’s here, he’s family to us,” says Jennipher Harrill.

She says Brackeen comes in her Pet Supply Store at least every couple weeks to bathe his K9 partner and buy dog food.

“He’s very committed and dedicated to what he did everyday. And he believed in his job as an officer,” Harrill says.