At approximately 8:05 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2009, The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 165 Leisure Lane, Salisbury, NC to a domestic disturbance. While Deputies were responding, 911 communications received calls that shots had been fired at 165 Leisure Lane, Salisbury, NC, and then shortly thereafter a female victim who had been shot showed up at Tamarac Marina, a convenience store close to the scene.
Deputies arriving at the 165 Leisure Lane scene found one person deceased and were advised that a second female victim with a gunshot had left the scene (victim whom went to Tamarac Marina). The deceased is Billy Tommy Elmore, a 52 year old white male, who had previously lived at 165 Leisure Lane, but had moved to Iredell County sometime last week.
The female victim is Tiffany Marie Barbee, a 21 year old white female, of 198 Yellowstone Lane, Statesville, NC was wounded in the left arm and hand. Ms. Barbee is currently a patient at Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Investigators from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office have discussed the facts of the incident with Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly. Investigators are awaiting the opportunity to interview Tiffany Barbee
at Carolina’s Medical Center before any charges will be made in this investigation.
An additional release will be made once a decision has been made regarding criminal charges in this case.
UPDATE:
On September 21, 2009, The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division has made an arrest in the above incident. Robert Douglas Earnhardt, a 30 year old white male, of 165 Leisure Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146 has been charged with Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. Earnhardt is the son of Patty Elmore, the estranged wife of the deceased victim, Billy Tommy Elmore. Robert Douglas Earnhardt was not given a bond and is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center.
The investigation into this case continues, and anyone with information is asked to call Lt. Chad Moose, Investigator Adam Loflin, or Investigator Jason Owens at 704-216-8700.