Man fatally beats mother-in-law, shoots self

DOBSON — The Surry County Sheriff’s Office has released details on an apparent murder-suicide in which a man fatally beat his mother-in-law and shot himself while fleeing from deputies.

“This incident is still an active investigation,” the sheriff’s office announced Thursday regarding the Jan. 28 event that climaxed an evening of violence at 154 Country Fields Lane in the general vicinity of Round Peak Vineyards.

It resulted in the deaths of Phyllis Irene Wilkinson, 75, who succumbed to beating-related injuries in a Winston-Salem hospital on Feb. 9, and Randy Joe Schimp, 43, who died at the scene.

They lived in two separate mobile homes on Country Fields Lane, one where Wilkinson resided and the other occupied by Schimp; his wife Heather, who is Wilkinson’s daughter; and several children of Heather’s who were present.

Authorities received a call about 10:20 p.m. in reference to a domestic incident at that location, according to information from Sheriff Steve Hiatt.

Another source, citing accounts from a family member, disclosed that Randy Joe Schimp, who moved to this area from Florida, reportedly was a recovering alcoholic who hadn’t drank a drop of alcohol in three years.

Schimp is said to have wanted to celebrate a promotion or similar event and consumed alcohol on the day of the incident, and things “went off the deep end” from there, the source described concerning what unfolded.

The man assaulted his wife, which led to her 16-year-old son intervening in a effort to get Schimp away from his mother.

During that altercation, Heather grabbed a butcher knife and stabbed Schimp in the back, and she and all her children were able to escape the residence.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Heather Schimp in the yard with obvious signs of assault, according to information from Sheriff Hiatt.

At some point, Wilkinson went to the neighboring residence after hearing the commotion and encountered Schimp, who “aggressively assaulted” her as he had his wife, investigators say.

Wilkinson is said to have been repeatedly struck in the head, or pistol-whipped, with the gun Schimp had.

Upon entering the residence, deputies found Wilkinson on the floor, unresponsive, with signs of assault.

Officers, with assistance from Surry County Emergency Medical Service personnel, started administering lifesaving measures to Wilkinson, who was transported to Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Deputies also made contact with Schimp inside the home and issued commands to him, with Schimp then starting to flee to an adjacent room.

He subsequently brandished the weapon and shot himself, say investigators, with deputies attempting to render aid to Schimp in an unsuccessful effort to save his life.

Wilkinson underwent treatment for her life-threatening injuries in the Winston-Salem hospital, which included surgery. It appeared to be successful, with the woman said to be coherent afterward and knowing where she was.

However, the beating victim suffered bleeding on the brain, leading to her death on Feb. 9.

Wilkinson leaves behind a son and daughter, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, among other relatives, obituary information states.

Detectives and deputies remained on the scene conducting interviews and gathering information throughout the night of the incident.