For Immediate Release: February 19, 2020
On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to Whispering Oaks Trail in Ellenboro reference to shots being fired. While enroute, deputies received information that the landlord of the trailer park had been shot at. When deputies arrived they met a male subject and a female subject hiding behind parked cars. A short time later, the deputies started hearing gunshots possibly being fired in their direction and called for additional manpower.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office SERT Team responded and helped evacuate the road deputies and neighbors. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office also contacted the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office to respond with their armored vehicles.
The evacuees were transported to the Ellenboro Fire Department where detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office interviewed witnesses. After the interviews, it was determined the suspect (Kent Morgan Shehan) tried to shoot the landlord of the trailer park, Fred Christopher Hutchins.
After multiple failed attempts to negotiate with Shehan, tear gas was used to remove Shehan from his residence. Shehan was taken into custody around 5:39 Am on February 19, 2020. Shehan was checked on scene by medical units and was released to deputies of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office where Shehan was transported to the Rutherford County Detention Center.
Shehan was charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill and after further investigation Shehan was also charged with two counts of Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Property.
Shehan is currently in the Rutherford County Detention Center under a $175,000 secured bond.
Sheriff Chris Francis would like to thank the following agencies:
Forest City Police Department
Spindale Police Department
Rutherfordton Police Department
Lake Lure Police Department
Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
N.C. Highway Patrol
