Man charged after assaulting 2 deputies, firing at 3 patrol vehicles in Rowan County

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A man is facing a slew of charges after he assaulted two deputies and fired at several vehicles, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said.

The incident began on Saturday, June 1, around 8:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of NC Hwy 152.

The sheriff’s office reports around this time several of their patrol vehicles were struck by gunfire. Two deputies in the area reportedly heard the bullets as they struck their vehicles.

The two deputies turned their vehicles around and went back to search the area where they came upon a man, identified as Zackery Johnson, in a yard along NC Hwy 152 East.

While questioning Johnson, one of the deputies said they noticed a small caliber rifle with a scope lying on the ground in front of the home, along with a box of 22-caliber ammunition.

The sheriff’s office said while Johnson was being questioned he tried to walk away from the two deputies, and when they tried to detain him, that’s when he twisted the hand and finger of one of the deputies and kicked the other deputy.

The two deputies were eventually able to take Johnson into custody.

Once in custody, it was discovered that a third Rowan County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle had been struck by gunfire in the area. Several other reports started coming in that three other cars belonging to area residents were also struck by gunfire, the sheriff’s office said.

While still at his home, Johnson began suffering from ‘some type of medical issue’ which was later determined to be from him mixing prescription medication and alcohol, authorities said.

Johnson was transported to Rowan Novant Medical Center for treatment and was released from the hospital on Tuesday, June 4. He has been charged with the following:

• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
• Four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Six counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property
• Two counts of assault on a government official
• One count of resisting a public officer

Johnson is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond.

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