Deputy injured, suspect airlifted after 60-mile chase ends in avery county standoff

A multi-county pursuit that began with an attempted arrest in Buncombe County ended with a barricade situation and a suspect hospitalized.

Avery County, NC – A standoff in Avery County ended Monday after a suspect who fled deputies during an attempted arrest was taken into custody and airlifted to a hospital, authorities confirmed. The incident followed a 60-mile chase that began in Buncombe County and stretched across multiple jurisdictions.

Deputies initially responded to a residence in Buncombe County to serve an arrest warrant when another individual at the home ran from the scene, triggering the pursuit. During the incident, a Buncombe County deputy was struck while outside his patrol vehicle and was later hospitalized.

The chase ultimately led into Avery County, where the suspect barricaded themselves, prompting a standoff with law enforcement. First responders blocked off Stamey Branch Road as crews, including EMS, staged nearby during the active situation.

Standoff ends with suspect hospitalized

Authorities confirmed the standoff has since ended, with the suspect taken into custody and transported by air to a hospital following the incident. Officials have not released the suspect’s condition or whether any weapons were involved.

Key Points

60-mile chase began in Buncombe County after suspect fled during warrant service
Buncombe deputy hospitalized after being struck outside patrol vehicle
Standoff in Avery County ended with suspect airlifted and in custody

Officials have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s identity or potential charges. The condition of the injured deputy has not been disclosed beyond hospitalization.

The investigation remains ongoing as multiple agencies work to piece together the sequence of events across county lines.

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