A Watauga County sheriff s deputy was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon and a second deputy was also hit by gunfire while conducting a welfare check at a Boone home, authorities said.
10 a.m.:Â The Watauga County Sheriff s Office confirmed the individual suspected of killing the two officers is also suspected of killing two civilians in the residence. The names of the civilians are not being released at this time.
During an initial rescue attempt of the WCSO officers, a Boone Police officer was hit by gunfire, but was uninjured due to his protective equipment.
The investigation is ongoing, and is being led by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
A GoFundMe was set up in support of Sergeant Chris Ward s family by Back the Blue NC and can be found at
Sheriff: 2 deputies killed during welfare check at Boone home were ambushed; suspect identified WSOCTV.com News Staff
Two deputies were killed and three other people, including the gunman, were found dead after a 13-hour standoff in Boone, the Watauga County sheriff said on Thursday.
Authorities said the two deputies died in the shooting that prompted a daylong standoff Wednesday that dragged into the night with law enforcement officers surrounding a home.
The sheriff identified the gunman as 32-year-old Isaac Alton Barnes. Officials believe he died by suicide.
Breaking Boone- sheriff Hagaman just spoke with us confirming the second deputy has died. They also found the suspect’s mother and stepfather deceased. Police had been to the home over the weekend. The latest on the investigation today at noon, 5pm and 6pm. pic.twitter.com/uV0WlhTnOX Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) April 29, 2021
WCSO shooting Incident timeline
The following is a timeline of the incident occurring that occurred on Wednesday, April 28, responded to by Watauga County Sheriff s Office and numerous agencies across the region and state.
Thursday, April 29
4:12 p.m.: The Watauga County Sheriff s Office revealed the individual suspected of killing Sgt. Chris Ward and Dep. Logan Fox was Isaac Alton Barnes, 32. Barnes is also believed to have killed Michelle Annette Ligon, 61, and George Wyatt Ligon, 58, both of 553 Hardaman Circle in Boone. Barnes, who was son and stepson of the deceased civilians, died at the scene.
3:03 p.m.: Deputy Logan Fox s K9 Raven was confirmed to be safe by WCSO Major Kelly Redmon. Redmon said Raven was brought along with Fox, but stayed in the car and was unharmed.