Man Charged With Pointing Shotgun At Deputies Receives $1 Million Bond

PRINCETON, N.C. — A Caldwell County man accused of pointing a shotgun at two Johnston County sheriff’s deputies during a confrontation at a Neuse River boat ramp has been ordered held under a $1 million secured bond following his first court appearance.

Christopher Phillips Strickland, 40, of Hudson, N.C. appeared before a Johnston County magistrate after his arrest Sunday evening. He was initially held without bond. During a court appearance Monday, a district court judge changed his bond to $1 million secured.

The incident occurred around 5:58 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Richardson Bridge Road Boat Ramp near Princeton.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies responded to the area after receiving an unknown type call involving a person who appeared to be in distress.

As deputies pulled onto a path near the boat ramp, investigators said Strickland emerged from a wooded area carrying a black shotgun.

Authorities allege Strickland raised the weapon and pointed it directly at the deputies, causing them to retreat.

Strickland then disappeared into the woods. A short time later, deputies reported hearing the sound of the shotgun being racked before Strickland reappeared.

According to reports, Strickland yelled, “You better shoot me,” before throwing the shotgun to the ground.

Before deputies could safely approach, investigators said Strickland picked the firearm back up and retreated into the woods a second time.

A third deputy arrived moments later, and the three officers were able to take Strickland into custody without further incident. No shots were fired during the encounter, and neither the deputies nor Strickland were injured.

Strickland was charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Court records show Strickland was already serving 18 months of supervised probation stemming from a January 2026 Guilford County conviction for impaired driving.

A probation violation report filed Monday in Caldwell County alleges Strickland violated the terms of his probation by testing positive for THC in June, failing to pay court-ordered financial obligations, being charged with resisting a public officer in Caldwell County in May, and committing the new Johnston County offenses while on supervised probation.