Bell County man charged with assault after shooting, victim flown out

A Bell County man was arrested Sunday night after a shooting in East Pineville.

Bell County deputies responded to a call of a male being shot on Blue Ridge Church Road at approximately 10:05 p.m., according to a release from the Sheriff’s Department. While en route to the address, deputies were advised by Bell Dispatch that the victim had been taken by a family member to Middlesboro ARH Hospital and that the suspected shooter was still on scene in hiding.

Once on scene, Deputy Samson Churchwell and other deputies made contact with 20-year-old Matthew Shelton of Page and two other witnesses. Shelton told them that the victim had exited the residence running with his hand behind his back and he felt was going to be hurt, so he discharged his firearm striking the individual.

Assisting at the hospital was Middlesboro Police Officer Jake Quillen who stated the victim was being flown out by AirEvac and unable to provide a statement. The victim had been shot twice.

Based on the on-scene investigation, Matthew Shelton was arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with assault – 1st degree.

Assisting on scene was Sheriff Mitch Williams, Chief Deputy Jared Smith, Sgt. Frank Foster, Deputies Ryan Sams and Keith Fuson, Pineville Police Chief Brandon Hollingsworth, Pineville Officer Justin Patterson, Trooper Josh Messer and two other troopers.

This is an ongoing investigation led by Deputy Samson Churchwell.

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