TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — A shooting Saturday was a well-planned ambush on an informant who helped federal authorities bust drug operations, according to documents filed in federal court Thursday.
The shooting happened Saturday night off Pine Tree Road.
Residents reported hearing a flurry of bullets as many were sitting down for dinner.
"I heard 'pop, pop, pop,'" said Greg Bilancil.
"It was very scary, very scary," another woman said.
The criminal complaint filed in federal court charges William Cody Elder, Michael Wayne Little and Joshua Thomas Smith with drug and gun violations, as well as tampering with a witness or informant.
Investigators said the trio ran a "well-planned and coordinated ambush" and fired numerous rounds in a firefight with the informant, documents said.
The informant had agreed to meet at Smith's girlfriend's home and the attack began after he arrived.
Smith was struck in the leg, likely by Little or Elder, investigators said. He was also struck in the upper body by the informant, according to records.
Officials wrote that the informant somehow managed to get away and survived. There was a female in the car with the informant.
The investigation uncovered information that there was a $20,000 reward for the murder of the informant, investigators said.
"Smith's girlfriend manually set the DVR system to record," law enforcement said. "Investigators believe it may have been to capture video of the killing and help claim the bounty on the informant's life."
The video shows Elder and Smith using a shotgun and rifle, according to documents.
Arrest warrants have been issued for all three men. A representative for the Alexander County Sheriff's Office told Channel 9 that not all the suspects were in custody as of Thursday afternoon.
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