An involuntary commitment order led to an exchange of gunfire and extended standoff in unincorporated Chatham County on Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

A release shared Thursday morning by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office detailed a nine-hour ordeal, which ended in the wounding and custody of 47-year-old Paul Lawrence Rader of Siler City. There were no injuries to sheriff’s deputies or bystanders. Rader’s family made an involuntary commitment request, with deputies arriving to a residence on Lambert Chapel Road near the western border of the county at 3:30 p.m. The sheriff’s office said as law enforcement spoke with the family outside their residence, Rader began firing a gun “indiscriminately from a travel trailer on the property.” Rader then began shooting “directly at one of the deputies” several minutes later, according to Thursday’s release, and that deputy began to return fire.

What followed was nine hours of law enforcement standing off with Rader, who remained in the trailer and fired “hundreds of rounds” toward sheriff’s deputies. Chatham County’s Sheriff’s Office called in support from the Moore County Sherriff’s Office, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office to help with the scene and other public safety coverage during the incident.

The tense scene ended shortly after midnight, according to the timeline shared Thursday. Rader fired toward a Chatham County deputy — different from the one first shot at around 4 p.m. — before that second deputy shot and wounded the resident. The sheriff’s office then took Rader into custody while transporting him to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for medical treatment. Based on the office’s release, Rader’s gunshot injuries were not life-threatening, as he was conscious and alert while headed to the hospital.

Rader has been charged with two counts of felony attempted first degree murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, six counts of felony discharge of a weapon into occupied property and one count of misdemeanor injury to real property.

Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson shared his gratitude to the other offices who committed resources during the standoff and to his own deputies’ response.

“This was an extremely dangerous and unpredictable situation that could have ended very differently,” said Roberson. “I’m grateful that our deputies remained calm under pressure and followed their training to protect themselves and others. We also greatly appreciate the assistance of our partner agencies, who helped bring this incident to a resolution.”

As is procedure for any officer-involved shooting, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own review and investigation into Wednesday’s incident, according to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
U.S. DOJ Writes Support for Summit Church in Lawsuit Against Chatham County for New Site
The U.S. Department of Justice voiced its support of Summit Church's lawsuit against Chatham County, citing federal religious protections.
Chapel Hill Businessman and Son Plead Guilty in 2022 Stock Fraud Case
More than two years after being arrested, a Chapel Hill businessman and his son plead guilty to a market manipulation scheme.
Orange, Durham And Chatham Counties Labeled 'Sanctuary Jurisdictions' By Homeland Security
UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) responded to the Department of Homeland Security’s list of “sanctuary jurisdictions,” which includes Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties, each of which fall under her district. “This outrageous list is nothing more than a politically motivated stunt designed to intimidate and punish local governments that refuse to be […]
Pittsboro Man Wins Over $400,000 In Cash 5 Lottery Jackpot
Victor Correro, a resident of Pittsboro, won a $427,363 jackpot on a $1 Cash 5 ticket on Sunday.
Chatham County Awarded $350,000 Energy Efficiency Grant
Chatham County has been awarded a $350,000 grant through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, the county government announced Wednesday. The grant was administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office using federal funding. Chatham County’s project was one of nine across the state selected for funding. “The funding […]
Chatham County Sheriff: Carrboro Man Arrested on Human Trafficking Charges
UPDATE: On May 21, Carrboro police filed multiple charges against Edwin Silva-Badillo, based on information they received from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Police charged Silva-Badillo with one count of statutory sexual offense and three counts each of statutory rape, indecent liberties with a child, and felony solicitation by computer — all stemming from several […]
Chatham County Roundup: Chamber President and CEO Rebecca Dickenson
Chatham County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rebecca Dickenson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday May 28. She discussed her first eight weeks in the new role, her background working with the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, the challenges and opportunities of how large Chatham County is, and more. She also discussed the Chamber moving to a new location, an upcoming Chatham Count bus tour, and more.
NCDOT: Suttles Road in Pittsboro to Close June 3, Remain Closed Through November
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will close Suttles Road in Pittsboro to thru-traffic beginning Tuesday, June 3. The closure will allow for the final stages of the road’s realignment and connection to the new Chatham Parkway, which will service the Chatham Park development. According to the NCDOT and the Town of Pittsboro, the closure […]
On the Porch: Dr. Henry McKoy - NC to DC for the Good of All
This Week: Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is a seasoned professional in business, community and economic development, policy, government, finance, energy, philanthropy and the academic worlds. He held two Senior Presidential appointments in the administration of President Joseph Biden from 2022-2025 following a distinguished career in finance, investing, business, higher education, and public service. Dr. McKoy served as the founding Director of the U.S. Office of State and Community Energy Programs (2022-2024) at the United States Department of Energy where his team managed 28 programs totaling $16 billion in funding, investing in all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and Washington, DC, while touching 250 million Americans.
Chatham County Sheriff's Office Details 9-Hour Standoff, Officer-Involved Shooting
An involuntary commitment order led to an exchange of gunfire and extended standoff in unincorporated Chatham County on Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office.
›