MORGANTON (AP) — Officials have released the names of a couple, a law enforcement officer and a suspect killed in Burke County.
Sheriff Steve Whisenant says Troy David Whisnant, 38, was shot and killed Wednesday after a manhunt north of Morganton.
The sheriff said deputies were asked by co-workers to check on a couple where the woman had not been at work since March 7. Deputies found the bodies of Levi and Rhonda Whisnant. Investigators think the couple had been killed earlier.
Stolen vehicles from the home prompted deputies to search for Troy Whisnant, son of the man and stepson of the woman. One of the vehicles, a pickup truck, was found near the Burke-McDowell county line
U.S. Forest Service officer Jason Crisp, 39, of Marion was shot and killed around 2:30 p.m. during the manhunt that involved more than 100 local, state and federal officers. Whisenant said Crisp had been ambushed, his police dog killed and his .45-caliber pistol and magazine were stolen.
About two hours later, officers found Whisnant in some woods and he was shot by three officers after he had fired at officers.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s office announced he will go to Burke County to spend time with Crisp’s wife and with the first responders involved in Wednesday’s incident.