The NC State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting of a suspect by a Johnston County deputy sheriff. The incident happened last Wednesday, December 4th at WoodSpring Suites Hotel near the 40/42 interchange in Cleveland.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office had received information Bruce Wayne Vaughan of Sanford was inside a room at the hotel. Vaughan had been indicted exactly one week earlier – on November 27, 2019 – by a Lee County Grand Jury on 19 True Bills of Indictment charging him with crimes ranging from statutory sex offense with a child, indecent liberties with a child, and felony child abuse. Vaughan had been staying at an address in Sanford but had reportedly left the area before he could be arrested by Lee County authorities after the indictments were handed down.
After Johnston County deputies received the tip on Vaughan’s whereabouts last Wednesday night, they responded to the WoodSpring Suites Hotel to serve the outstanding arrest warrants on the 50 year-old suspect. Sources indicate Vaughan refused to exit the room and surrender. Unconfirmed reports indicate he was armed with a handgun.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office STAR (SWAT) team responded and made entry into the room. Vaughan was shot during the encounter by Lieutenant Jack Coats. Vaughan was transported to WakeMed Hospital where he was treated. His condition has not been released but the SBI said there was no fatality.
No officers were injured.
At the request of Sheriff Steve Bizzell and District Attorney Susan Doyle, the NC SBI was requested to investigate the officer involved shooting. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office did not release any additional information due to the ongoing SBI investigation.
