Full Notification

On Sunday, October 28, 2018, at approximately 2:10 PM, the Rutherford County Communications Center received a phone call reporting that there was a domestic incident involving weapons at 113 Pebblestone Lane in Rutherfordton. The caller stated that she needed someone to come out to that location because her son had broken out doors and windows.
 
Officers from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherfordton Police Department, Spindale Police Department and North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to this call for service. Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Ryan Bailey was the first to arrive at the scene.
 
Upon arrival, Corporal Bailey observed Mark Reid Parker, 37, outside and near the intersection of Pebblestone Lane and Maple Creek Road. Parker was holding a gun in one hand and a 2”x4” piece of lumber, about 5 feet long, in the other. Corporal Bailey was in very close proximity to Parker when he saw the gun and piece of lumber. He retreated by driving his vehicle to a safer distance away from where Parker was. Corporal Bailey used his patrol vehicle as protective cover and gave repeated commands to Parker to put down his weapon. Deputy Perry Shelton of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene soon after this exchange began.
 
Parker did not comply with Officer Bailey’s commands. Parker dropped the piece of lumber and charged toward the officers, still brandishing the gun. Corporal Bailey and Deputy Shelton fired their weapons. Parker was struck and fell to the ground. Parker then grabbed his gun and pointed it at the officers. Additional shots were fired by the officers, rendering Parker unable to display any further threats. Officers secured Parker and made the scene safe for medical responders. EMS arrived and began treating Parker’s injuries. He was then transported by helicopter to Mission Hospital. No one else sustained injury during this event.
 
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation of this event, as is standard for all officer involved shootings. According to the NC SBI, Parker is listed in stable condition at the time of this release.
 
 
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the response and assistance by the following agencies that provided support in managing this incident: NC SBI, Rutherfordton Police Department, Spindale Police Department, NC Highway Patrol, RS Traffic Control, INC., Rutherford County EMS, and Hickory Nut Gorge EMS.