Man charged in connection to Yancey Co. shooting

BURNSVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) — A man accused of shooting three workers trimming trees in Yancey County Wednesday is facing multiple charges.

The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened in the area of Murphytown Road, when 36-year-old Lucas Wilson Murphy confronted workers clearing the right of way for a power company.

The sheriff’s office said the three workers were shot and sustained serious injuries.

Deputies said they encountered gunfire when they attempted to take Murphy into custody.

Murphy was then injured during a shootout with deputies, subsequently being taken into custody and brought to an area hospital.

The District Attorney for the 35th Prosecutorial District of NC has charged Murphy with the following:

• felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury
• one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• four counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officers

According to the district attorney, Murphy was apprehended for similar charges in 2021, when he allegedly got into an altercation with his brother. The 36-year-old was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflicting serious injury in front of a jury.

Murphy was found guilty of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon in December 2021.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the shooting investigation.

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