MORGANTON, N.C. (AP) - A man wanted in the shooting deaths of his father, stepmother and a U.S. Forest Service officer was shot and killed after a manhunt in Burke County, the sheriff said Thursday.
Sheriff Steve Whisenant said Troy David Whisnant, 38, was shot and killed Wednesday north of Morganton.
The sheriff said deputies were asked by co-workers to check on a couple where the woman had not been at work since March 7. Deputies found the bodies of Levi and Rhonda Whisnant.
Whisenant said Levi Whisnant was shot in the basement of the home, and Rhonda Whisnant was shot as she was going up the stairs from the basement and was dragged back down the stairs. The sheriff said investigators think the couple had been shot as early as last Sunday with a 30/30 rifle.
Stolen vehicles from the home prompted deputies to search for Troy Whisnant, son of the man and stepson of the woman, authorities said. One of the vehicles, a pickup truck, was found near the Burke-McDowell county line
U.S. Forest Service officer Jason Crisp, 39, of Marion was shot and killed around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday during the manhunt that involved more than 100 local, state and federal officers. Whisenant said Crisp had been ambushed, his police dog killed and his .45-caliber pistol and magazine were stolen.
About two hours later, officers found Whisnant in some woods and he was shot by three officers after he had fired at officers.
Whisenant said the FBI was investigating Crisp’s shooting.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s office announced he will go to Burke County to spend time with Crisp’s wife and with the first responders involved in Wednesday’s incident.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.