Chatham County Sheriff: Body Found After Search for Armed 18-Year-Old

UPDATE: At 12:18 p.m., the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said law enforcement officers located a body in a wooded area behind a residence on Henry’s Ridge Road in Pittsboro in connection with the March 31 incident. The Chatham County Medical Examiner’s Office has been called to the scene, and authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for an armed man following a call for service Tuesday night in the area of Henry’s Ridge Road, east of downtown Pittsboro off of U.S. Highway 64.

The individual is described as a white 18-year-old male, approximately six feet tall, weighing 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The sheriff’s office believes he is on foot and may be armed with a long gun, possibly a shotgun.

Deputies say they initially responded after receiving a report of a resident experiencing a health crisis and threatening to harm himself and shoot any law enforcement personnel who arrived. Upon reaching the scene, the sheriff’s office says deputies established a perimeter and were able to contact the person by phone in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. The individual then reportedly retreated into a large, wooded area behind the residence and discharged a firearm before moving farther into the woods.

The sheriff’s office says later investigation has indicated the person moved deeper into the woods before phone contact was lost, likely after he turned his phone off.

The sheriff’s office is considering the situation dangerous and is urging residents in the surrounding area to remain vigilant and use extreme caution. Anyone who sees him is asked not to approach him and to instead call 911 with information on his whereabouts. As of Wednesday morning, deputies are remaining in the area to continue the search.

EDITORS’ NOTE: An earlier edition of this story included the name of the man sought by Chatham County law enforcement. After receiving a request from the individual’s family, we have decided to remove his name from this article. Above is the story as originally reported, with the man’s identity removed.

Featured image via Chatham County Sheriff’s Office

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