Rowan County deputy shoots, kills suspect while serving warrants

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A deputy in Rowan County shot and killed a suspect while serving warrants on Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies say Jordan Mays was fatally shot at a home on Thriftwood Court around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. No deputies were injured in the incident, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said a new street crime unit called SOCAT was serving warrants for failure to appear, possession of a firearm by a felon, felony probation violation, carrying a concealed weapon, and driving while a license is revoked. According to the description, the unit has the capacity to perform high-risk search warrants.

According to the sheriff’s office, after deputies arrived at the home and announced themselves several times, they went inside a detached garage and found a wanted suspect, Jeremy Brock, hiding inside. They were able to arrest him, but then got a tip that Mays was in the back bedroom of the trailer.

When deputies found Mays, he was on a bed with someone else, they said. He was within reach of a handgun, which was beside the bed on a table, investigators said.

Rowan County deputies said body camera video shows Deputy Adam Dyles “going hands on with Jordan Mays” in an effort to secure his hands. Deputy Chase Safrit tried to help Dyles, and Deputy Travis James was covering both deputies.

After a deputy yelled “tase him,” Mays was able to grab the gun on the table, and began to turn toward the deputies while holding the gun, authorities said. Investigators said that’s when Deputy James fired what is believed to be 5 rounds from his AR-15, hitting Mays in the head with at least one round.

Investigators found three 9 mm handguns in the bedroom, along with more than $3,000 in cash and a large amount of what is believed to be crystal methamphetamine.

‘We didn’t know what was going on’

Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz spoke with a neighbor who said she believes she heard shots as they were fired.

“Me and my son heard three pops and we thought the neighbors were just shooting. And about ten minutes later we seen all the cops showing up and it scared us ... we didn’t know what was going on,” resident Tina Key said.

Key said she saw blue lights and police cars blocking the rural Rowan County road in front of her neighbor’s home.

“I was scared. I even was so scared when it happened and the cops came. I left for the night,” Key continued.

Key told Channel 9 that neighbors were concerned about the activity surrounding the home since Mays moved in.

“None of my kids feel safe since they moved in,” Key said. “You see other vehicles that are nice looking vehicles that don’t come around here stay 15 minutes then leave back out and another car come in. A little suspicious.”

The States Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Per standard protocol, All five deputies have been placed on administrative paid leave.

“It is never our desire to be involved in a lethal, deadly force encounter. However, we are often forced into this outcome by those that would mean harm to others. We take steps and train to avoid these confrontations,” said Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen. “I as Sheriff, offer my sincere condolences to the Family of Jordan Mays. I also ask that the privacy of our Deputies and their families be respected at this time.”

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