Body found in Mount Airy, homicide investigation underway

MOUNT AIRY — An investigation is underway in Surry County after a body was found Independence Day on the side of the road in the area of Mount Herman Church Road and Brim Road in Mount Airy. According to a statement from the Surry County Sheriff's Office, the investigation remains active and is being investigated as a homicide.

Their statement said that a call was received by communications staff at approximately 12:24 p.m. Thursday in reference to a male subject laying down on the side of the road “unresponsive and not breathing.”

Deputies were quickly dispatched to the scene but upon arrival found the unidentified man had passed away from apparent injuries from a gunshot.

Responding units called for assistance from the SCSO Criminal Investigation Division as well as the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Detectives and SBI Agents arrived on the scene and started furthering the investigation into the incident.

One witness to the situation said that North Carolian Department of Transportation was called in to close off the roads around the area after the body was discovered.

Given the ongoing nature of an apparent homicide investigation, SCSO said they would not be releasing any additional information. However, they are requesting assistance from the public in gaining more information from the scene of the crime.

Parties with additional information regarding the death investigation or who may be in possession of video footage or photographs in the area of Mount Herman Church Road, is encouraged to call the Surry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (336)-401-8922.

In the statement, Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt offered his thanks to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Surry County Emergency Medical Services, Westfield Volunteer Fire Department, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for their assistance.