WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — Two deputies were among five people killed in a 13-hour standoff Wednesday in Watauga County.
The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that deputies were dispatched to a home in Boone at 9:44 a.m. after the homeowner didn’t report to work or answer telephone calls. The deputies entered the home and were fired upon by 32-year-old Isaac Alton Barnes, according to the sheriff.
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Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox did not survive the shooting, according to Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman.
The sheriff said Barnes, his mother, Michelle Ligon, 61, and stepfather, George Ligon, 58, were found dead inside the home. Officials believe Barnes died by suicide.
>> We will have continuing coverage from Boone throughout the day on Channel 9 and on the WSOC NOW app on your Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Firestick.
An entire community is grateful for the sacrifice made by both officers.
“They were two of the nicest people you’d ever meet and they’d do anything to help somebody,” friend Nate Porter said.
Sgt. Chris Ward
8-year veteran Sgt. Chris Ward died at a hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he was taken after being removed from the house.
The 36-year-old married his high school sweetheart and is a father of two, ages 19 and 5. A cousin of Ward told Channel 9 that he was a family man and would lay his life down for his loved ones.
Ward began his career at the Beech Mountain Police Department in 2013, later moving on to the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Law enforcement support group Back the Blue NC has started a GoFundMe to help support Ward’s family.
“To keep with our mission of ‘Giving back to those who are willing to give their all’ our organization is raising donations for the family of Sgt. Chris Ward, more specifically, his children. In this moment of tragedy, Back The Blue NC, Inc. stand by ready to support the family in honor of Sgt. Ward’s ultimate sacrifice,” the organization said in a post.
K-9 Deputy Logan Fox
K-9 Deputy Logan Fox, 25, was shot and remained in the home throughout the ensuing standoff, Hagaman said.
Hagaman confirmed Thursday that Fox did not survive.
Fox was a two-year veteran of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office. He was a K-9 officer who handled Watauga County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Raven.”
Prior to working at the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office as a full-time deputy, he served as full-time deputy with the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office. Fox’s true passion was serving as a K-9 Officer, the department said.
Channel 9 also learned that Fox was engaged to be married.
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