CATAWBA COUNTY, NC — A Hickory man will spend the next eight to 13 years in prison after being convicted of charges related to a 2016 shootout with a Catawba County deputy.
Barry Hildebran, 48, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer, Assault with a Firearm on a Law Enforcement Officer and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Officials say the incident happened on February 12, 2016. Catawba County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Gay was trying to serve a warrant on Hildebran when he says the suspect was seen escaping from a second-story window with a shotgun.
Deputy Gay retrieved an AR-15 from his patrol car and the two men exchanged fire. Officials say a shot from Deputy Gay shattered the stock of Hildebran’s shotgun and struck his hand.
Hildebran then reportedly tried to escape by swimming across Lake Hickory, but gave up and returned to shore.
Officials say he then tried to pull a knife on deputies, but was taken into custody.
