1000 x 90

21-Year-Old Man Found Near Roadway in Banner Elk With Gunshot Wound Dies, Sheriff: No Evidence of Foul Play

By Jesse Wood

Nov. 10, 2014. A 21-year-old man who was found near a roadway in Banner Elk with a gunshot wound to his upper left chest on Sunday night passed away, according to Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman.

William Daniel Smith, 21, of 2076 Worley Road, was found with the gunshot injuries on Sunday evening at about 8 p.m. in the 600 block of Lee Gualtney Road in Banner Elk, according to the incident report. He was then flown to Johnson City Medical Center. He died last night.

The report noted that the investigation is ongoing.

While adding that there is no evidence of foul play, Hagaman said that the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine whether it was accidental or self-inflicted.

According to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory, funeral arrangements for Smith are incomplete as of Monday afternoon.