Suspect killed in armed standoff with deputies

Published 4:06 pm Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Swan Quarter, N.C. — At approximately 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Hyde County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a breaking and entering in progress at 1401 Main Street, Swan Quarter. The caller stated her ex-husband had kicked in her door and was armed with a gun.

When deputies arrived, they encountered 67-year-old Willie Blount standing on the front porch of the house armed with a .22 rifle.  Blount ignored numerous verbal commands to drop his weapon and refused to surrender. After an approximately 10-minute standoff, Blount pointed his rifle at the deputies on scene and was subsequently shot by Deputy William Waters, a 10 year veteran of the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office. Blount died at the scene. No one else was injured.

At the request of Sheriff Guire Cahoon, the State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the officer-involved shooting, and the Hyde County District Attorney will review all investigative findings.  Per standard protocol, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

As the State Bureau of Investigation is now the primary investigating agency, any further questions pertaining to the incident should be referred to Anjanette Grube, NCSBI Public Information Director, agrube@ncsbi.gov.