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Henderson County man charged after fatal shooting leaves child injured and under investigation

ZIRCONIA, NC – A man now faces felony charges after a shooting in the Zirconia community left one person dead and a child seriously injured, court filings and a sheriff’s office release show.

Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies responded in the early morning hours of October 8 to a report of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound; that victim was transported to Mission Hospital and died on October 9. Following interviews and investigative work by the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit, 34-year-old Justin David Sherrill was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Negligent Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Officials say deputies and emergency personnel provided care at the scene and that the investigation linked Sherrill to the incident. The possession charge cites North Carolina statute 14‑415.1, which prohibits firearm possession by convicted felons. The negligent child abuse charge cites N.C. Gen. Stat. 14‑318.4 for a willful act or grossly negligent omission that results in serious bodily injury to a child under 16.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said it will release no further details while the matter proceeds through the courts to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

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Key Points

Justin David Sherrill, 34, was charged after a shooting on October 8 that resulted in a victim’s death and serious injury to a child
Charges include Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (N.C.G.S. 14‑415.1) and Negligent Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (N.C.G.S. 14‑318.4)
The Sheriff’s Office will not release additional information pending court proceedings

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

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