Granite Falls: A Hickory man died after reportedly being shot by a North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper on Saturday. The shooting followed a reported vehicle crash in Caldwell County.
A spokesperson for the Highway Patrol says the Trooper was dispatched to investigate a crash shortly after 4 pm on Grace Chapel Road in Granite Falls. While enroute, the officer was told by first responders at the scene that a male subject, later identified as 48-year-old Scott Patrick Seagle, was armed with a handgun.
The agency says when Senior Trooper William Miller arrived, he encountered the armed individual. At that point, 48-year-old Scott Patrick Seagle of Hickory displayed a handgun and didn’t comply with Miller’s commands. Miller then fired his service pistol, striking Seagle.
Miller secured Seagle and rendered aid immediately. Seagle was then taken to a hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. Miller was unharmed.
The Highway Patrol notes Miller is a five-year veteran assigned to Troop F, District 3 in Caldwell County. He has been per protocol, placed on administrative duty.
Grace Chapel Road was closed for hours as the SBI led investigation was conducted.
Rob Eastwood-WHKY and NBC6-Charlotte contributed to this story