North Carolina Man Opens Fire on Firefighters Responding to Call, Injuring One
ELLERBE, N.C. – A firefighter was shot and injured while responding to a fire alarm call in Richmond County after a local man allegedly opened fire on crews, authorities confirmed.
Firefighters Met With Gunfire
The Ellerbe Fire Department was dispatched early Sunday morning to a rural property in Ellerbe after reports of a fire alarm. One fire truck and an additional firefighter in a personal vehicle responded.
When they arrived, they were met with gunfire from the property’s resident, deputies said.
One firefighter was struck in the leg and later airlifted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill trauma center for treatment.
Suspect Identified as Business Owner
Deputies identified the suspect as Timothy Lee Hayden, who was quickly taken into custody after a brief standoff.
Hayden now faces charges of two counts of assault on emergency personnel with a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflicting serious injury, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Business filings show Hayden operates Hayden Construction, a company specializing in fire and water restoration services, and is listed as a managing member of Paratus Outfitters, a Rockingham gun store.
Questions Surround Alarm Call
Investigators with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation reported there was no active fire at the property when firefighters arrived. The circumstances of the initial alarm call remain under review.
A spokesperson for the bureau said:
“At this time, it does not appear that there was a fire on the property. The reason for the fire alarm call is still unclear and remains part of the ongoing investigation.”
Community Reaction
The incident shocked residents in Ellerbe, a small town about 75 miles southeast of Charlotte. Local leaders praised firefighters for their courage and called for stronger protections for first responders.
One neighbor said, “It’s frightening to think that people who come to help us in emergencies can be attacked like this. They put their lives on the line, and they deserve to be safe.”
Do you think North Carolina should increase penalties for those who target first responders, or are current laws enough? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
