Family says man shot, killed by Anson County deputy had Alzheimer's

PEACHLAND, N.C. — Authorities are investigating a deadly deputy-involved shooting in Anson County Friday afternoon.

A deputy shot a person who had a weapon while responding to a call on Lower White Store Road, officials said.

Family members identified the man as Bobby Horne, 63, and said he had Alzheimer’s disease for four years.

Officials initially responded to a medical call when Horne became combative with EMS, investigators said.

Medical officials then called Anson County deputies for assistance.

Horne did not want help from paramedics, the caller told 911 dispatchers.

Sheriff Landric Reid said Horne pointed a long rifle at deputies, and after repeated commands to drop the weapon, one deputy shot him.

Reid said another captain shielded Horne's wife when shots were fired.

"The men and women of law enforcement did the only thing they possibly could have," Horne's family said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, for the last few years he has suffered from Alzheimer’s, a horrible disease that robbed him of his mind, but never robbed him of his loving heart."

The deputy suffered an injury to his arm, but was not shot.

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

It is the third deputy-involved shooting since November, the Anson County sheriff said.

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