DA Clears Deputies In Deadly July 17th OIS Shooting Of A Caldwell County Deputy Shooting Suspect

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC — The District Attorney for the 25th District of North Carolina says deputies were justified in the deadly officer involved shooting of Kerry Townsend on Tuesday, July 17th.

DA David Learner released a detailed report of his investigation Thursday, which can be seen by clicking here.

Townsend, the man who reportedly shot Caldwell County Deputy Jordan Sherrill during a traffic stop on Sunday, July 15th, died after a shootout with authorities at a vacant home on Zack’s Fork Road.

Investigators have also charged two additional suspects in connection to the shooting.

Stephanie Sipes was arrested on July 17th following the deadly standoff between Townsend and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s SWAT Team.

Investigators say Sipes was with Townsend when he shot Deputy Sherrill around 11:30pm on Cheraw Road near the intersection of Pisgah Church Road. She has been charged with Accessory After the Fact to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury.

47-year-old James Edgar Roberts, of Lenoir, was arrested on July 19th and charged with Accessory After the Fact to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury. Investigators say Roberts provided transportation to Townsend and Sipes while allegedly knowing they were wanted for the shooting of Deputy Sherrill.

Deputy Jordan Sherrill, 21, was shot just below his vest while approaching Townsend’s vehicle. He was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte where he is undergoing treatment. Officials say he is currently listed in stable condition.

Sherrill has been with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s office for just over a year.

Both Roberts and Sipes are each being held on a $1,000,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing.