Aug. 8, 2012. Ashe County Sheriff James Williams reports that he and the 911 Center were contacted at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning of this week by Johnson County, Tenn. authorities. Johnson County had issued a BOLO and asked assistance to locate a green Chevrolet truck headed into Ashe County that had just been involved in a shooting as a result of a domestic situation.
Deputies were dispatched immediately to the west end of the county. Soon Deputy Jeremy Munday located the vehicle on N.C. 88 W. Suspect sped away from Deputy Munday and a chase ensued through the area of N.C. 194 in Lansing and cumulated at a residence on Big Piney Creek, Lansing. The suspect jumped and forced his way into the residence. Deputy Munday immediately saw that the suspect was armed and called for backup.
Shortly Sgt. Danny Dillard arrived on scene and the officers were able to talk the suspect out of the residence and to surrender his weapon.
It was later determined that the residence the suspect forced his way into was the home of his estranged wife.
Officers recovered a large caliber handgun that had been used in the shooting of the suspect’s close family member. This family member is currently in critical condition in a hospital in Tennessee.
Arrested was James Eric Stout of Fall Branch in Mountain City, Tenn. His is 32 years old. He is currently in the Ashe County Detention Center on a $15,000 bond for charges in Ashe of Possession of a firearm by felon; Fail to stop for blue light and siren; Resist, delay and obstruct officers. He is also being held on a fugitive warrant for Tennessee with no bond. He will have a first appearance Thursday, Aug. 9.